Brundle: Vettel's best years are behind him

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Former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes that Sebastian Vettel's best years are behind him, although the Sky F1 commentator wouldn't "race off" the German driver just yet.

Vettel enjoyed an outstanding period of success at the start of the decade, clinching 38 wins and four successive world championships during his six-year stint with Red Bull Racing.

The 32-year-old has remained a front-runner since his switch to Ferrari in 2015 but has failed so far to bring the title back to the House of Maranello.

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While the German has faced massive opposition from the mighty Mercedes squad in the past few years, Ferrari's technical inability to counter its rival coupled with Vettel's own mistakes have weighed on his efforts.

Brundle insists Vettel still enjoys blindingly fast pace, but the Briton is also convinced that the Scuderia charger's best years are behind him.

"You can't take anything away from him," said Brundle in a podcast for 'The Collecting Cars'.

"What I think he's always had, is somehow a lack of judgement in wheel-to-wheel combat, and it's showing up mor and more as he gets older.

"He's still got the speed. Some of his qualy laps are outstanding, just lightening fast.

"I think he's got the pace, you wouldn't race him off, and you wouldn't change him in a hurry for an unknown, but his best is behind him."

Brundle insisted however that Vettel's abating momentum takes nothing away from his much-appreciated personality.

"I like Seb a lot," added the former Grand Prix driver who shares a common passion with Vettel.

"He's a big motorbike man as well. He keeps it all very quiet but he's got a fantastic collection of classic motorbikes.

"He's an adult, he won't be playing play station all night long."

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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.