Ecclestone tips Vettel for Schumacher-like greatness

Bernie Ecclestone has tipped Sebastian Vettel to achieve Michael Schumacher-like success in formula one.

Back-to-back world champion Vettel is now on a roll in 2012, having overtaken Fernando Alonso’s title lead and dominant in India, where converting his pole position on Sunday will mean a fourth-consecutive race win.

"Vettel is close to a hat-trick of championships and he has all the capability to finish his career with seven or more titles," said the Red Bull driver’s rival and countryman Timo Glock.

Schumacher, to retire at the end of the season, has F1’s outright records for wins (91) and titles (7).

Vettel is on course for a third title in 2012, while victory on Sunday will be the 26th in his five-season career.

"He (Vettel) is talented, focused and hungry to do well," Glock told India’s Deccan Chronicle, "and with this form there is no reason why he can’t match or surpass Schumacher."

Vettel’s friend and backgammon partner Ecclestone, F1’s 81-year-old chief executive, agrees that the 25-year-old is on the path to Schumacher-like greatness.

"I see no reason why Seb can’t go on to achieve what Michael Schumacher has achieved in this sport, which is unsurpassed," Ecclestone told the Guardian in India.

"And Seb is up against much tougher opposition than Michael was. He’s very honest. He’s very dedicated. And he’s very talented. He has made sure that he’s exploited his capabilities to the maximum."