Sebastian Vettel

Lore & Background

In 2017, Sebastian Vettel led the World Drivers' Championship standings for the first twelve rounds of the season. This marked the beginning of the first genuine inter-team title fight in five years, dating back to when Fernando Alonso battled Vettel himself in 2012. Vettel, a four-time world champion, headed the championship while driving for Ferrari, which had emerged as a resurgent force against Mercedes. The season saw Vettel challenging deep into the twenty-race calendar, creating intense pressure on Lewis Hamilton and the defending Constructors' Champion team. Although he led early, the battle extended far beyond the halfway point of the season, with both drivers pushing their machines to the limit across twenty Grands Prix.

In Their Own Story

The 2017 season unfolded as a dramatic duel between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. Starting from Australia on 26 March, Vettel established an early lead in the standings, holding the top spot through twelve rounds of competition. He drove for Ferrari, which was fighting to reclaim glory against Mercedes, the team that had secured three consecutive titles leading into 2017. As the season progressed toward its conclusion in Abu Dhabi on 26 November, Vettel's early advantage narrowed. Despite his strong start and the resurgence of the Italian team, Hamilton ultimately won his fourth World Drivers' Championship title. Vettel finished the year with 317 points, placing him 46 points behind the champion, while his teammate Valtteri Bottas took third with 305 points.

Reader's Guide

Sebastian Vettel's 2017 campaign is defined by his role as the primary challenger to Mercedes. He began the season leading the championship for twelve rounds, showcasing Ferrari's ability to compete at the highest level. The technical regulations introduced that year increased car width and tyre dimensions to improve lap times by four to five seconds, altering the competitive landscape. Vettel capitalized on these changes early, but the twenty-race calendar tested his consistency against Hamilton's relentless pace. By the end of the season, Mercedes secured their fourth consecutive Constructors' title at the United States Grand Prix, while Vettel finished second in the drivers' standings with 317 points, behind Hamilton and ahead of Bottas.

Did You Know?

• Sebastian Vettel led the 2017 championship standings for the first twelve rounds of the season.
• The 2017 season marked the first genuine inter-team title battle in five years, since Fernando Alonso fought Vettel in 2012.
• Vettel finished second in the 2017 World Drivers' Championship with 317 points, 46 points behind Lewis Hamilton.
• In 2017, Ferrari was recognized as a resurgent team challenging Mercedes for the title deep into the twenty-race season.
• The 2017 technical regulations increased car width to 2,000 mm and rear tyre width to 405 mm to generate more mechanical grip.