Sep.4 (GMM) Two drivers on the F1 grid stand out above and beyond the rest, according to Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali.

The Italian was asked by the German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag if reigning world champion and runaway 2011 title leader Sebastian Vettel can lay claim to the mantle of a true team "leader".

"Really, there are only two and they are Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher," said Domenicali. "I see no others.

"Vettel is still not a leader. He is on the way there, but it's not like Michael and Fernando. He is simply too young and lacking in experience," he added.

Domenicali said he sees "many parallels" between Schumacher, the winner of 5 of Ferrari's last 6 drivers' titles, and the famous Maranello squad's current undisputed team leader Alonso.

"Both are fighting like lions to bring their teams to the front," he explained. "They take care of the details that others don't even notice.

"Sebastian is getting close, but right now there are only two (leaders)."

24-year-old Vettel, who currently drives for the dominant Red Bull team, has expressed a desire in the future to switch to Ferrari.

Domenicali is non-commital: "It's too early to tell," he said when asked if the young German is a future Ferrari driver.

"It depends on many developments to occur in the next few years. Currently we do not need a leader. At some point we may and so then Sebastian is a candidate. As I said, there are not many."

Domenicali rejected the criticism often directed at seven time world champion Schumacher, who is currently struggling to keep up with his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

"You will not hear anything bad from me," he insisted. "He is driving on a very high level; it is the Mercedes that is not good enough. If Michael was in a Red Bull or a Ferrari, then he probably would have won races in the last two years."

And finally, Domenicali commented on Red Bull's current domination of formula one, and the lessons that Ferrari might learn from the maker of an energy drink.

"Well, with all due respect, they have a title and we have 16, so if Red Bull do half of what we have done then maybe we will have a rethink. The question is who has the better foundation.

"I don't know if what has happened at Red Bull is because of one or two good people. For us, we are currently building a new Ferrari. And then we will start a great period," he said.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version