Vettel can emulate Schumacher, says F1 legend Stewart

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The iconic Italian team confirmed the capture of four-time world champion Vettel from Red Bull on Thursday before immediately announcing that Fernando Alonso's five-year stay with Ferrari will finish following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.

Vettel's switch will undoubtedly lead to comparisons with German compatriot Schumacher, who won five straight F1 titles between 2000 and 2004 during a glittering 10-year spell at Ferrari.

Stewart, who acted as a team owner for three years with Stewart Racing - the organisation that ultimately evolved into today's Red Bull - has warned Vettel that he faces a daunting challenge in rebuilding Ferrari's success.

However, the Scot is confident that the 27-year-old can achieve a similar level of success that Schumacher enjoyed and become the first Ferrari racer to win the drivers' title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

"It's a totally different challenge to go and race for Ferrari and it's a very intoxicating thing to do - I nearly did it, but didn't go for it. The politics in Ferrari are different than any other racing team," he told Perform. 

"Sebastian probably needs a change, he's been under the same management team for a long time. And I'm sure he was disappointed with his early part of the [2014] season.

"The first half of the season was not exciting - he's done some very good racing since then and he's clearly [got talent] - you don't win four world championships without an awful lot of talent. 

"When Michael Schumacher went to Ferrari, he changed Ferrari. Ferrari had to do what he wanted or he would've left. He wanted Ross Brawn [as technical director], he wanted this, he wanted that and he got it - but he delivered. 

"He was probably better at that than he was a driver, building a team of quality, quality people. And I think Sebastian can do the same thing."

Alonso has yet to reveal his next move, but a return to McLaren - who he raced for in 2007 – appears an inevitability.

The Spaniard left the first time around due to reports of a falling out with then team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who was in his debut season in F1.

But Stewart believes a more mature Alonso will thrive at McLaren this time around.

"He's [Alonso] got to be sure that the Spanish passion doesn't trip out a little bit from time to time, but his abilities to drive are very high," he added.

"He was younger [back in 2007], I think made some mistakes then, he was also dealing with an impetuous young racing driver [Hamilton] who was bright-eyed and bushy tailed and who Ron Dennis had cultured to bring along all the way. 

"Alonso didn't deal with that one very well at all, but there's a lot of miles under the belt since then. I think he's much better prepared to get into McLaren now than he was then

"He's probably got the best toolkit up here [head] of any driver in the grid at the present time."

Sir Jackie Stewart is president of Dyslexia Scotland, and working with people to influence and achieve change at a national and local level. For more details, visit: http://www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk

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