Walker says Vettel can beat Schumacher’s records
The Red Bull driver claimed a third title in 2012, putting him level with Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and the late Ayrton Senna.
"He is very likely to beat Schumacher’s record," Walker explained to Britain's Metro newspaper. "It was unthinkable until recently but records are there to be beaten and usually are. Vettel is a lot further on in his career at 25 than Michael was and he has got at least another ten, maybe 15 years ahead of him.
"If he doesn’t beat the record it will mean he hasn’t made very good choices about the car he drives. But he is a very astute bloke and I don’t think he will make bad choices."
Walker also compared modern day Formula 1 with what he described as a ‘golden period’ in the 1980s, arguing that the past three seasons have exceeded those years.
"I used to say the 1980s was a golden period but the last three seasons have exceeded that," he added of the current era. "They have been three wonderful years with each seeming to get better than the last when you couldn’t believe that was possible.
"I mean, the climax to 2012 with that race in Brazil was unbelievable, with Vettel spinning backwards and then recovering to become a triple World Champion. (Formula One Group CEO) Bernie Ecclestone is accused of writing the script for these races.