F1: Vettel a ‘one-trick pony’ and Hamilton ‘not in same league’ as Schumacher

Former Ferrari, Jordan and Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine has launched a “scathing assessment” of Formula 1 stars Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

Northern Irishman Irvine, 53, told BBC Sport that Ferrari star Vettel was a “one-trick pony” and while current world champion Hamilton is the best driver at the moment he is not in the same league as F1 icon Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton has now won five world titles and is joint-second behind seven-time winner Schumacher on the all-time list of championship wins. Vettel is a four-time title winner.

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Irvine said: “I think Lewis is in a different league from all of them. [But] he’s not in Michael’s league and I don’t even think he is close, although he’s racking up lots of wins. He’s got the best car, there are more races and the competition is debatable.

“I think Vettel is good if he is at the front and doesn’t have anybody to race. When you watch Lewis race, he’s focused on racing and Lewis is really focused on getting ahead of the other guy.

“Vettel, when he is racing is someone, is focused as much on the other guy as he is on where he is going and inevitably crashes into the other guy, which happens nearly all the time.

“I think Vettel is a good driver, but as a four-times world champion, I just don’t see it. I think he is massively overrated, he’s a one-trick pony and Lewis has a much broader talent.”

Pre-season testing on TV

F1 fans in the United Kingdom will be able to watch all four days of pre-season testing live on Sky Sports.

The broadcaster will show coverage from Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya when the first pre-season test takes place from 18-21 February.

For fans outside of the UK pre-season testing will be shown live on F1 TV.