Sebastian Vettel is capable of achieving more success in Formula 1 than Michael Schumacher, according to three-time World Champion Niki Lauda.
Vettel became Formula 1's youngest double champion on Sunday at Suzuka, after securing his second title in a row at the age of 24. Schumacher, the most successful driver in the history of the sport with seven titles and 91 wins, clinched his second title at the age of 26.
Lauda reckons Vettel has all the ingredients to surpass Schumacher.
"He has all the circumstances to do it," Lauda told Reuters. "If the car and his career and where he drives and which car continues in the right direction, then yes.
"If you choose the wrong car or the car you are driving doesn't work, then you can't win because its always the combination of the two. But he certainly theoretically can win more than Schumacher if he sits at the right time in the right car because he himself is certainly capable of it."
He added: "It is the best performance so far in Formula 1, at his age to win two (titles). To win the first one is always the most difficult because all your career, starting from go-karts all the way up, is years and years of work for this particular day. The second one is easier in a way because there is less pressure."
Lauda, 62, believes Vettel has a huge hunger for victory and sees no reason why he will lack motivation in the future.
"He is this kind of person, every lap he is doing and every race he is doing he wants to get quicker and quicker," added the Austrian. "I came to a point where I really decided I wanted to find something else for my life. But in his particular case, with his age and what is all in front of him, there is no way he will be demotivated. He drives himself."