Vettel gets support from former rival: 'That's not because of his talent'

Sebastian Vettel is under fire in Formula 1 because of his inferior performances in 2020, but DTM celebrity René Rast still believes in the qualities of his compatriot. According to Rast, Vettel is far from losing it.

In go-karting and Formula BMW, Rast collided with Vettel in the 1990s. Both were still very young, but Vettel was the man who stood out from the crowd. In Formula BMW, Vettel won 18 of the 20 races. Rast did not win one, but is now the celebrated man with three DTM titles.

''I didn't win that much then, while he won almost everything. He went to Formula 1 and was the great talent there. He dominated the sport for a few years and I knew that from his time in Formula BMW and karting. He was just a high-flyer. He's having a hard time now though, but that's not because of a lack of talent,'' says Rast to F1-insider.com.

''I don't think we can judge the things that are playing in the background. If he had the material, he would just fight for the world title again. He really hasn't forgotten how to drive,'' said the man who became DTM champion three times in the last four years.