Is Vettel F1's new villain?

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On the Monday after the Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton received the plaudits of the world?s press while Sebastian Vettel, not for the first time this season, was the villain. Richard Williams of The Guardian said the Red Bull driver was running hot and cold this season and as a result was denying himself a shot at the championship.

?In terms of sheer ability Vettel ranks with Hamilton and Fernando Alonso as the best of the current generation but he is currently being outperformed by the more mature man in the other Red Bull. Until the 23-year-old learns to focus his gifts at all times the brilliant will continue to be mixed with the best forgotten and he will have to wait to become Formula One's second German world champion.?

Tom Cary of The Daily Telegraph warned against punishing drivers too harshly for attempting to overtake. But he agreed that Vettel appeared to be crumbling under the pressure of not living up to expectations.

?My view is still that he is a hugely talented driver with a lot of potential. He was unlucky earlier in the season when technical glitches cost him. He obviously has one-lap pace. He can control a race from start to finish when everything clicks. But at the moment it appears he is losing the psychological battle to his team mate (who is visibly growing in confidence and authority) and the pressure is getting to him.?

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/08/is_vettel_f1s_new_villain.php

Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown