Schumacher tips Vettel for F1 glory

Vettel, 21, became the youngest ever winner after dominating the Italian Grand Prix with his Toro Rosso.

The German driver will move from the Italian squad to sister squad Red Bull Racing in 2009.

"I enjoy watching him," Schumacher was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "He has his own character, he needs to develop it, and then the results will come.

"He has the genes to become world champion one day, he's demonstrated that this year," added Schumacher, who won the Race of Champions' Nations Cup alongside Vettel over the weekend.

The seven-time world champion said also that he is not expecting big surprises in the 2009 season, despite the radical rule changes coming into play.

"The top teams will remain top teams, they have the best people and organization," Schumacher said. "Some team will be able to take a step forward, but the balance won't be overturned just because there are new rules."

Schumacher reckons, however, that the show could improve as a result of the technical changes.

"Potentially I think it can become more exciting. I'm neither an aerodynamicist nor a technical designer, however the essential thing was to reduce aerodynamic load and increase mechanical grip.

"The cars will now be able to travel closer to each other and perhaps this will be enough to offer more of a spectacle."