Moss: Vettel is the modern Fangio

Sir Stirling Moss has hailed Sebastian Vettel as the modern day equivalent of five time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio. Speaking at a Motor Sport magazine event, Moss compared Vettel to other current Formula 1 stars before putting the 24 year old on the same level as the late Argentinean.

"Vettel is a modern Fangio, really, in Formula One," commented Moss. "I can't see, other than his natural ability, how he is that good, how he can be that good.

"I think Vettel is quite outstanding, but then he has got the best car, which is fair enough because normally the best driver gets the best car. Fangio went around and took what he wanted and one took whatever was left."

Moss, who competed against Fangio for seven seasons between 1951 and 1958 continued to praise the young Red Bull Racing star from Heppenheim, saying: "Where we're lucky is that Vettel has a great sense of humor. He is a damn good world champion. I can think of a lot of other people who get to that position and they don't give back as much as they get out, but he really does."

The 82 year old spoke about Vettel in comparison with the British McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, stating: "Their problem is that they're against a better outfit. The Red Bull is so good, it's enormously difficult to be as good as that is and I don't think they are yet, Vettel is outstanding.

"They (Button and Hamilton) are up there, but not as far as he is. Lewis does funny things, so one can't be sure. I would put my money on Jenson. Yes I would. Lewis is terrific, he really is exceptionally quick, but Jenson thinks about certain things better than Lewis will."