Signing Vettel would be a ‘mistake for Merc’

Michelle Foster 18 May 2020 9:10 AM

Sebastian Vettel won’t be heading to Mercedes, with David Coulthard saying that would be a “mistake” that would only cause “friction” at the team.

Having announced he is leaving Ferrari, Vettel is jobless as of this December.

The four-time World Champion says he is looking at his options for 2021, which will either see him join a new team, a new series or quit racing.

While most reports are linking Vettel to Renault, there is some speculation – more hopeful than based in fact – that he could head to Mercedes to partner Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has ruled that out, saying it would be more of a “marketing” gimmick putting a German in a German car.

He added: “At Mercedes, however, we are purely focused on success.”

Coulthard agrees with the Austria as he says having Vettel and Hamilton in the same team would do nothing but cause “friction”.

“I think that would be a mistake for Mercedes,” he told Sportsmail.

“In Lewis, they’ve got someone who can win grands prix and Championships. To bring Seb in there because you think that that will raise Lewis’ game… it’s very difficult.

“If you look at these exceptional performances in sport, serial winners, I don’t think he needs the friction of a four-time World Champion to get the best out of him.

“I think Vettel could be disruptive to the team.

“I think that if he offered his services for no money then of course the Mercedes board would have to look at it seriously, to have a German driver in the team, but I just can’t imagine he would, so the pairing of Valtteri and Lewis seems like the most efficient way to win another Championship.

“Both drivers can’t win, there’s never been a dead heat in a Grand Prix, so you’re only going to end up with problems that history have shown when you have two strong personalities in one team.”

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