Zoom Schumacher and Vettel in different surroundings

Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher has stated that fellow German Sebastien Vettel, currently under contract with the Toro Rosso team, had "the potential to be World Champion," reports AFP.

"The question need not even be asked: he has the potential for it, but now circumstances have to be favorable so that he may achieve it himself," Schumacher told Bild for its Tuesday edition.

"Everything will also depend on the cars at his disposal. In F1, you are very dependent on your car," he added.

Schumacher won the Nations Cup with Vettel last Sunday during the Race of Champions event held in London.

20-year-old Sebastien Vettel participated in eight Grands Prix this year, once as a replacement driver for the BMW Sauber team, and seven more as an official Toro Rosso race driver. He finished the 2007 championship season in 14th place with six points.

For his first full Formula One campaign in 2008, Vettel will partner four-time Champ Car titleholder Sébastien Bourdais at Toro Rosso.

Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International