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Vettel 'not the best' - Briatore

ESPNF1 Staff
October 13, 2011 « Sahara buys into 42.5% stake in Force India | Senna seeks set-up boost »
Flavio Briatore oversaw Fernando Alonso's back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006 © Sutton Images
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Flavio Briatore says that Sebastian Vettel is not currently the best driver in Formula One, despite dominating the 2011 season.

Vettel secured back-to-back world championships with third place in Japan last weekend; his second worst result of the season having only failed to finish in the top two on one other occasion. Despite boasting a record of nine victories from 15 races, Briatore believes Vettel is third in line behind his own charge Fernando Alonso as well as Lewis Hamilton.

"Vettel is definitely good," Briatore is quoted by Corriere dello Sport. "But he has won because he has been the best to manage his phenomenal (Red Bull) machine. He is not the best. Imagine a race with everyone racing the same car; Vettel would be behind Fernando Alonso and also Lewis Hamilton."

Vettel has also taken 12 pole positions this season, and Briatore admits that he is the fastest man over one lap, while ranking Hamilton as quicker than Alonso.

"Over one lap I see him in pole position, with Hamilton second and Alonso third."

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