Character-building years at Ferrari have changed Vettel - Horner

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Christian Horner was a prime witness of Sebastian Vettel's flourishing development in F1, but the Red Bull boss believes the man who won four world titles with his team has undergone further transformation at Ferrari.

Vettel has yet to win the world championship with the Scuderia which he joined in 2015, and while he is once again a contender this year along with arch-rival Lewis Hamilton, missing out on the achievement has likely enhanced his qualities according to Horner.

"He’s a much more rounded driver," says the Red Bull racing chief.

"He was still very young when he won those four world championships. Having a few character building years at Ferrari have made him more rounded.

"He’s very good under pressure. He’s very much a rock within that team. If he gets a sniff of a chance after the summer break, he’ll be very difficult to beat."

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Another man well acquainted with Vettel, and instrumental during his formative years in motorsport, is for BMW Sauber team principal Mario Theissen.

Like Horner, the German manager, who visited the F1 paddock at Hockenheim recently, has observed Vettel's transformation, especially with regard to how he deals with setbacks. And Hockenheim was one massive disappointment for the 31-year-old Ferrari stalwart.

"What I see this year, as opposed to the years before, he is much more composed when reflecting on a situation, especially after a bad result,", Theissen told Formula1.com.

"It is something you have to learn during your career, that you can’t control everything.

"Sometimes you get an unexpected win, sometimes you come to a race track, you’re sure you will dominate the weekend and you go home with zero points.

"That’s what happened to him at Hockenheim," he added

"In the years before, if you look at younger drivers, they are devastated in such situations.

"It looks to me that Sebastian has overcome this period. He takes it as it comes, he understands he can’t control it. The best thing you can do is tick it off and focus on the next one."

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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.