Irvine on Vettel: 'He's just a spoiled brat!'

40

Former Ferrari driver and four-time F1 winner Eddie Irvine lashed out at Australian Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel.

Always the maverick with an attitude, the Northern Ireland native picked apart the German driver for spending his entire 2016 year complaining about everyone and everything, and for his self-loving tendencies.

"Vettel is a spoiled brat," Irvine told Motorsport-Total.com.

"He was already narcissistic when he first arrived to the Formula 1 show, but the admiration surrounding him prompted his current arrogance to blossom."

The 51-year-old, who spent the bulk of his time in Formula 1 carrying Michael Schumacher's luggage, contends however that most successful drivers display arrogant and self-centered personalities.

"That's how we behave...I was like that, so are Lewis [Hamilton] and Fernando [Alonso]."

On the subject of Schumacher, Irvine believes Vettel doesn't measure up to his former team mate and seven-time F1 legend.

"There isn't even an argument: Vettel is a good driver, but Schumacher was on another level," Irvine said.

"After a bad race, he would work with [Jean] Todt to figure things out. Michael used to do things with the car nobody has ever been able to replicate, not even a superb driver like Mika Hakkinen.

"Back in the day, Schumacher easily dominated, until a young wolf named Alonso emerged.

"Nowadays, Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton possess similar skills, I'd pick Hamilton as the best based on personal preference."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.