Arrivabene confident Vettel will win Ferrari titles
- Published on 15 Oct 2018 15:36
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene is confident that Sebastian Vettel will win titles with Ferrari "sooner or later". The German is likely to miss out on the world championship this year as he sits 67 points behind his title rival Lewis Hamilton with four races to go.
Vettel was in the hunt for the championship this year but has lost out in the second half of the season, making a number of on-track errors while Hamilton has gone on to take victories. But while it is not going his way this season, Arrivabene is confident that in time, it will work out for the former Red Bull driver.
"It takes talent and determination otherwise you do not go anywhere,” Arrivabene told La Repubblica. “Michael Schumacher was like that and Sebastian Vettel is a lot like him as his four world titles won with Red Bull testifying to. When I hear him on the radio it’s like talking to Michael. I am sure that sooner or later he will bring the title back to Maranello.”
Ferrari has not won a championship since 2008 and has faced criticism from the media over the last number of months. However, Arrivabene claims that the negative comments are only pushing the team further as it attempts to return to glory.
“We do not talk about pressure because we do a particular job too and Ferrari is at the centre of everything,” he stated. “In fact, we have to thank the press and the public that is pushing for a return to winning.”
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Replies (18)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Arrivabene is a good team boss, but I have more doubts about Sebastian than Ferrari as a team. I still defend the fact that as a team Ferrari delivered this year, even if they made mistakes (Mercedes also made strategic mistakes). It was Sebastian that made the major mistakes. I think it's pretty clear that on a good day Sebastian is as good as anyone, he can compete with and even beat Lewis. Cracking under pressure, even if it happens rarely, is where he's lost championships with Ferrari. Last year was closer, but this year it's been truly embarrassing.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
I say it was about 50/50. The team has definitely not been at the top of their game this season, or arguably for many seasons. As for the last race, I don't think it was really a mistake on Vettel's part. Sure he crashed, but putting myself in his position, I have to say that I would have gone for it as well. He basically has nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying to overtake Verstappen. Maybe, just maybe, he could have stayed in fourth and some events would have helped him out, but as a driver you can't just sit and wait and hope that something will go your way. And given their recent track record, you couldn't exactly rely on the team to deliver the best strategy to ensure a win, now, could you?
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
@Ram - Verstappen ended 3rd within 5 seconds of Bottas... Vettel knew VER had the penalty, so that position was his, sure, he would have lost some time on track sitting behind him, but I think, had he showed some composure and patience, he could have finished 2nd behind HAM... I personally think that would have been a better gamble than his lunge knowing Ver wouldnt give an inch. But all that said and done, Ferrari and Vettel could have been closer, but Hamilton's title is thanks to Mercedes and his great driving under pressure, not because of Ferrari and Vettel's mistakes...
blade
Posts: 341
AJP - SV is def a good driver and I like him a lot - but he's not in same league as Hamilton or ALO - his performances are just not consistently there. Let's see what happens over the next 2 seasons, this one is done, a double for Merc. Next season is another of no change for Merc whilst LeCl will be bedding in - going to be tough for Ferrari to beat Merc before the format changes in '21 - just a hunch - by then, there won't be many stats that Ham doesn't lead in - some may never be beaten. SVs best chance to better Lewis over a season will be when Lewis hangs up his gloves and despite what Lewis says, I cannot see him moving to the same team as SV, and vice versa - so I don't think we'll ever see a straight competition in same kit.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I kinda feel they both blew it at the end. SV probably did more screwing up, but we see now how Merc' still somehow manage to outdevelop Ferrari. They just lack the kinda stamina needed to beat the Wolffpack.
blade
Posts: 341
Yes I agree - who was it that said Ferrari are "too Italian" to get the job done? I feel Mercedes have nailed R&D two within an inch of all their lives - they see a problem, work it out, fix it - constant review. I say this in the knowledge that only Ferrari and RB have equivalent resources to compete in this kind of devt race - RB still has (brilliant job they are doing) a class-leading car but Ferrari have both the engine and chassis, which makes it all the more frustrating they cannot tough it out for a whole season - again !!!
ianf1
Posts: 185
It was Bernie who said they were too Italian, and separately Wolffman hinted at the lack of blame culture at Merc vs a definite blame culture at Ferrari. That's the key difference imho, everyone at Ferrari (including Seb) has one eye over their shoulder lest they make a mistake; at Merc they dust themselves off and get on with fixing whatever needs fixing when something goes wrong without wasting time and energy on blame.
Oh and there's also the Italian press on Ferraris back the whole time. They have to take some responsibility for the blame culture within the team.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree with the sentiment that the current blame culture going on at Ferrari has to be unhealthy. There is a reason for why the French gave up on their national sport revolutions: having heads rolling all the time isnt good for morale. And here in Swedish healthcare (along with several other countries, I bet), going from personal responsibility in all but the most severe cases has actually lead to far better working conditions and morale. I bet Ferrari has all the components necessary to become champions, but it wouldnt surprise me if the pressure they put on themselves together with the pressure from the Tifozzi probably hinder them alot. I also think they rely a bit too much on Vettel. Merc' has a wellestablished pecking order, but they tend to be pretty flexible about it, and wont surprise me if RB will tackle it the same way next season.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Current blame mentality? They have always had a blame mentality as long as I can remember except when Michael was winning championships. Too Italian? I don't know but they do seem to be getting in their own way too much, whether it be failed tire strategy or overcut/undercut strategy, or just getting their drivers to the checkered flag faster than other teams do, the have fallen short, short and sweet. When your lead driver and the team are making mistakes every race, then you don't win championships.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Current in that its still ongoing mate. Never said it was a new thing, did I? And I pretty much think that was going on still during the Schumi era, such things dont go away just like that. We probably just didnt notice it as much back then.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Vettel has the same talent as hamilton Schumacher and Alonso.
He has lost something this season that ability to pull a lap out of nowhere to drive mistake free. It seems in the races before the break after a spin he lost his nerve. Ferrari I agree they pulled all the rabbits out of the hat to soon. I really do believe someone in the chassis development team to eek more speed takes off downforce upsetting by the balance and tire wear. One would think Ferrari would have the upper hand in the last of the season as temps drop (from early season results)in terms of tire wear and grip but Mercedes has got the upper hand . Personally I think Vettel is done as one of the top 2 drivers.
ianf1
Posts: 185
On his day, Seb can drag a car around as quickly as anybody when he's got space around him. But I don't think he has the same level of racecraft as the others you mention in a fight.
DeGueb
Posts: 1
Totally disagree, Vettel has only won when he had a car 1 second faster than the rest. Red Bull. Without red bull he would have been out of F1 years ago, competitive yes, fast, not so. If Arrivabene wasn't just a poser, he should have sacked SV when he rammed his multimillion euro Ferrari into Hamilton last year. If he loses his temper and throws a tantrum like a 4 year old he can go and race with the Feber race car. If we want to see racing Ferrari must swallow their pride and get Alonso back. Not to mention SV should have got a black flag for deliberately casing a collision.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Lets get this clear, Ferrari will not win any championship till they fix their summer slump.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Absolutely, they still have work to do before they are ready to legit challenge Merc'.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
A different take. It will be interesting to see what happens after Kimi leaves. Look at the history of the teams where Kimi arrives. Within 2-3 years they start winning races. It's happened at all the teams he's been at. It's because he is good at developing the car. Ferrari didn't start winning until Kimi got there. When Seb got to Ferrari he was able to adapt to the car quickly because Kimi had set the car up to the way they both like to drive, with a pointy front end. Now Kimi is leaving and Seb will be left with a rookie to set up the car. Not saying he can't do it, but what happened to him when AN left RB to design boats? The development of the car faltered as did Seb. It's going to be an interesting 2019 season for Ferrari. I'm a fan of Ferrari but they just keep getting in their own way, or stepping on their duck, as far as flawless execution on race weekends goes. I hope they will get better in order to win titles but frankly, I don't see it happening with their current strategy and the way they are performing. To my estimation they have lost 5 or 6 races this year because of strategy and miscellaneous mistakes. You can't win titles like that.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Kimimlikes his car very different than seb. He just wants stable turn in Vettel likes a very balanced car Kimi doesn't need that.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
I guess you are seeing different driver interviews than I saw, where Seb was saying he benefitted upon his arrival at Ferrari because of how Kimi had worked on the setup of the car which was similar to how he liked to drive.