Vettel regards Schumacher as untouched legend
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Although showing an competitive and convincing performance in the 2010 season, Formula One promising star Sebastian Vettel on Saturday refused to compare himself with his legendary F1 compatriot Michael Schumacher.
Seven-time world champion Schumacher ended his three-year retirement to race for the new Mercedes team this season. But the 41-year-old Germany seemed to be incapable of coping his title-winning feat, only earning 9 points in three events.
On the contrary, the 22-year-old Vettel proved a sound form in the opening races of the year, claiming three out of the four pole positions. During the Malaysia GP finished early April, the budding driver surrendered the pole to teammate Mark Webber but cruised into the top podium to claimed his first win for the season.
After taking the pole in China GP here on Saturady, the unobtrusive Vettel refused to compare himself with Schumacher in the post-race conference.
"For sure, the greatness of Michael is untouched. I know that I am German, I know that I come from Germany, but it would be quite ridiculous to compare myself, as the stage that I am now, with someone like Michael. He is a legend, he's one of the best the sport has ever seen. There's obviously a long way to go. I think, as everyone else, I try to do the best for myself. And we are all individuals, so that's the only thing I can say really,"said Vettel.
"Well, if you compare me with Michael as you did before, I am a greenhorn. You know I have only been here for three or three and a half years. It's not a long time,"added Vettel, who will defend his title in Shanghai on Sunday.
Although been in F1 merely for no more than four years, Vettel showed great talent and potential and held nearly all the records for youth in this sport. He was the youngest driver to score points, to take lead, to claim a pole, and finally to win a title in a Grand Prix. However, Vettel insisted to label him as an ordinary driver.
"I don' t consider myself as a superstar. It's more the famous politicians and pop stars.I see myself as a racing driver,something that I have been dreaming of since I was young.It's nice to be here, part of Formula One, and obviously it's even much nicer when you sit here, so I really enjoy what I'm doing and I'm proud to be next to guys like Fernando (Alonso), Mark (Webber), and whosoever," said Vettel, sitting in the middle of Webber and Alonso, who finished second and third in the qualifying of China GP.
"At the moment, as I said, I'm enjoying what I'm doing a lot. I don't know where we will be in five, ten years. At the moment, I would say hopefully in Formula One if teams sign me. You never know. Formula One changes quickly as does life, so things can change quickly," said a young but mature Vettel.
