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[zurich_allan]

Ok, completely hypothetical I know and everything can be if's but's and maybe's, but please indulge me for a minute! I was thinking about this last night, and would like to know other members' opinions. Had Sebastian Vettel stayed at BMW Sauber, and been granted a race seat for 2008 alongside Kubica, whom do you think would have come out on top between the two? And indeed also, do you think Vettel may have legitimately been able to fight for the title like Kubica, or maybe been even closer?

Or do you perhaps think that he might have crumbled in the pressure of being in a higher profile team under the spotlight whereas he flourished at Torro Rosso as his early season mishaps could relatively easily slip under the net?

Any opinions in this regard?

In my opinion, it's a shame we didn't get to see this, as it would have been intriguing! And for the record, I have a sneaky feeling Seb may have won more than one race and potentially been in with a shout at the last round.... (ducking and preparing to have something thrown at me!!)

[Gaz]

i think they would be pretty evenly matched.

i don't know the torro rosso is obviously not as good as the bmw perhaps vettle would of had an advantage in the wet.

I keep saying this and i would really like to see vettle at Mclaren replacing Hekki but all the same i would be happy to see Hekki stay if he improves.

[bud]

I think Kubica would have had him covered. just

[Gaz]

I think Kubica would have had him covered. just

unless it rained

[emma]

Hmm. Tough question! I would like to think that Vettel would have had the edge... But it's pretty much impossible to know. They've both had good results, though you could argue that Vettel had to work harder for his because of the car he was in. Then again, I think the Toro Rosso car has been really good this season, especially in the last half.
I'm hoping that Vettel will end up in BMW again, rather than McLaren or Ferrari

I think his time with Toro Rosso and Red Bull will be good experience for Vettel. By the time he ends up in one of the top teams, he'll have the skills, the experience and the car - he's gonna be unbeatable

[prozac26]

Kubica and Vettel would no doubt be a great combination, but one of them, probably both, will end up with Ferrari or McLaren in the next couple of years.

[f1maniac95]

I reckon that BMW Sauber may have won a lot more than 1 race and would have both been fighting for the championship right till the very end.

[KyrosV]

well maybe BMW would of been in a better position as they wouldnt of had to spend time on Nick, Kubica would of still bettered Vettel

[7UpJordan]

BMW still have some kind of clause in Vettel's contract don't they? If Vettel doesn't ever come back to BMW I think Glock would be also a good option for them because he was also previously a test driver for them and I have a feeling if Toyota don't improve or drop back Glock would be held back by them.

[cap-dude]

Dr Mario would never have allowed it. He'll always have an experienced driver in the team. Driving for STR has allowed Vettel to mature, and gain experience, and really. I think it's a much better way to start his career.

So in that case, I think he wouldn't be so quick of the block, and Kubica would definitely have had the upper hand. But put them in the same car next year, it would be Vettel ahead in my opinion.

[bmwpower]

The question is how would Vettel do in a BMW chassis. There's very few drivers that can switch from one chassis to another and do great while most struggle. 07, Kubica struggled with the BMW chassis while Nick didn't have a problem, 08 was the opposite but Robert lost the balance of the car toward the end of the season because it no longer fits his driving style while it came through for Nick. Its not just a matter of switching teams, its all about can the chassis fits their driving style. Look at Alonso, he struggled with the McLaren car while it was a perfect fit for LH's driving style, Alonso when back to Renault where they built him a car that suits his driving style and he makes it look so damn easy. So the answer to your question is that I don't think the 08 chassis wouldn't have a perfect fit for Vettel seeing that he does so well in a STR chassis which is the opposite of the BMWSauber chassis.

[darwin dali]

The question is how would Vettel do in a BMW chassis. There's very few drivers that can switch from one chassis to another and do great while most struggle. 07, Kubica struggled with the BMW chassis while Nick didn't have a problem, 08 was the opposite but Robert lost the balance of the car toward the end of the season because it no longer fits his driving style while it came through for Nick. Its not just a matter of switching teams, its all about can the chassis fits their driving style. Look at Alonso, he struggled with the McLaren car while it was a perfect fit for LH's driving style, Alonso when back to Renault where they built him a car that suits his driving style and he makes it look so damn easy. So the answer to your question is that I don't think the 08 chassis wouldn't have a perfect fit for Vettel seeing that he does so well in a STR chassis which is the opposite of the BMWSauber chassis.

SV is a quick study - remember last year when he replaced RK for one race? I think he'll be quick in any of the better chassis because he can adapt very quickly.