Hamilton ‘far more complete’ than Vettel – Lauda

Sebastian Vettel is making the same sorts of mistakes seen in Lewis Hamilton’s early career, according to triple world champion and pundit Niki Lauda.

“Sebastian is very fast but he needs time to learn not to make so many mistakes,” the Austrian is quoted in an interview with Spain’s El Pais.

Asked whether the Red Bull youngster’s mistakes can be compared with Hamilton’s a few years ago, Lauda answered: “Perhaps, but now Hamilton has matured a lot and makes not many mistakes despite being incredibly aggressive.

“Today, Lewis is far more complete.”

Lauda thinks Vettel, but particularly Mark Webber, has the best chance of winning the 2010 title.

“Red Bull has had many ruined races, especially with Sebastian, but their car is the best and they’re the team to beat.

“McLaren has been too inconsistent, Ferrari as well.”

Lauda also said he rates Fernando Alonso very highly, despite recently being embroiled in an argument with Ferrari after issuing some critical comments.

“I don’t have a problem with him at all.  First, from my point of view, he is the best driver currently in F1.  There’s no-one like him — not Vettel, or Hamilton, or any of the others.

“The only criticisms I’ve had is when he was at McLaren, and now with the team orders at Ferrari.

“You can’t do what he did after Germany — when he came out and said he knew nothing about what happened on the track.

“He tried to convince people that he had no idea what his team had done from the pitwall.  That’s all I’ve criticised,” explained Lauda.

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