Sebastian Vettel says he’s a big fan of 100-podium star on a ‘better level’ than his rivals

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After leaving Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season, Sebastian Vettel is slowly returning to the sport’s radar.

He’s suddenly being discussed as an option for Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton leaving the team at the end of the campaign.

However, speaking to TalkSPORT, Vettel was discussing one current driver who he’s been really impressed by.

The Formula 1 grid hasn’t changed much since the German left with only a couple of new drivers and seat changes.

Oscar Piastri has impressed since his departure while he might have been looking on slightly enviously as Fernando Alonso secured eight podiums last season in his old Aston Martin.

However, there’s another man on the grid that Sebastian Vettel has admitted is on a ‘better level’ than his rivals right now.

Max Verstappen has dominated Formula 1 since the start of 2022 and Vettel has said he’s a fan of the Dutchman.

After narrowly pipping Hamilton to the title in 2021, he’s kicked on in one of the most impressive cars in Formula 1’s history.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth and girlfriend to height

Sebastian Vettel admits he’s a fan of Max Verstappen

Red Bull are entering their 20^th season in Formula 1 this year and have come a long way since being midfield runners in their opening campaign.

Although they had multiple race winner David Coulthard in the team, they didn’t kick on until Mark Webber and Vettel teamed up in 2009.

Vettel and Red Bull won their first titles the following year and repeated that feat for the next three years.

Webber moved on and that coincided with Red Bull falling off their perch at the top of the Constructors’ Championship.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

They only returned in 2022, but Verstappen managed to copy Vettel’s achievement the year before and it’s no wonder the German is a fan of his successor.

Their careers have developed in very similar ways, impressing during a short stint in the sister team before earning a well-deserved promotion.

Max Verstappen hailed despite lack of competitiveness in F1

Asked what he’s made of Verstappen’s dominance, Vettel said: “Well, I’m a fan, I think it’s great to watch.

“Obviously, it’s not always as exciting as having two people fight for the top spot, or three, or four.

“But, it’s not something you turn up and you wish for a certain outcome. The sport, it is what it is and Max [Verstappen] at the minute is just driving on a better level than most and probably all of the other drivers.

“Plus, the team that he’s surrounded by are doing a fantastic job giving him the tools to work with, so you have to accept that and take your hat off because he’s just that little bit better than everybody else at the minute.”

Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull being questioned

While Vettel might be a fan of Verstappen, if he wants a drive at Mercedes next year then he may have to hope that the Dutchman stays put at Red Bull.

Toto Wolff is desperate to hire the 26-year-old who already has 100 podium finishes to his name.

However, he still has a contract until the end of 2028 but if key personnel such as Adrian Newey and Helmut Marko move on then he may look for a way out sooner.

It still seems unlikely that Verstappen would abandon a potentially championship-winning car in 2025 given the lack of regulation changes next year.

However, everything could change in 2026 and Verstappen might have to put plans into place now if he’s unsure whether Red Bull will still be the leading team during the next era of Formula 1.