Vettel: "Ferrari's final step to success will be the hardest"

  • Published on 04 Jan 2018 14:53
  • comments 6
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel believes that Ferrari's final step towards title success will be the hardest. Following a number of disappointing seasons, Ferrari sprung into a title challenge in 2017, taking the fight to Mercedes who enjoyed three years of domination.

Ferrari ultimately lost out to the Silver Arrows, with Mercedes claiming the constructors' title in the US and Vettel conceding defeat to Lewis Hamilton in the race for a fifth drivers' title in Mexico. Vettel believes that Ferrari can return as the kings of F1, but knows the final hurdle will be the most difficult.

"Obviously the regulations stay roughly the same," said Vettel of the 2018 rules. "I think we have a good and healthy platform to build on at the beginning of the year so I hope we can continue.

"What we have to do is take that final step. If you look back, it's always that final step that's the hardest. There's a lot of work going on already and for the last couple of months focusing on next year, trying to make the car faster, with more power into the power unit, and then we'll see where we are."

Pauli

Posts: 140

Ferrari. The Jack of all trades and none. Basically they have pretty good PU and pretty good aero/suspension/weight balance. But Mercedes has better PU while RB has better aero/suspension/weight balance (end of 2017 season).

If they managed to master either PU or chassis then they would have the... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Jan 4 2018 - 16:20

Replies (6)

Login to reply
  • Naturally, you are up against Mercedes.

    • + 0
    • Jan 4 2018 - 15:35
  • Pauli

    Posts: 140

    Ferrari. The Jack of all trades and none. Basically they have pretty good PU and pretty good aero/suspension/weight balance. But Mercedes has better PU while RB has better aero/suspension/weight balance (end of 2017 season).

    If they managed to master either PU or chassis then they would have the winning formula. Personally I wouldn't be surprised if RB is the team that dethrones Mercedes but that depends on Renault next season. Next season will be exciting to see how Honda improves and which PU deal RB manages to make.

    • + 1
    • Jan 4 2018 - 16:20
    • Agreed, there is much to look forward to in 2018. Honda vs Renault, RB vs Ferrari vs Mercedes, where will everyone be on the grid, which driver moves could happen... I really like it!

      • + 0
      • Jan 5 2018 - 10:26
  • Even if they get a slightly quicker he still has to beat LH.

    • + 0
    • Jan 4 2018 - 17:11
    • rastaman44

      Posts: 17

      I agree. Vettel will not be able to beat a motivated Hamilton. Without Adrian Newey designs to fall back on, Vettel is a toothless tiger LOL !!!

      • + 0
      • Jan 8 2018 - 08:04
  • blade

    Posts: 341

    Agree - and I don't see that happening, he is super motivated this year, moving clear into second place in the all time list, you can imagine how motivated that is going to make him...I hope Ferrari do a sterling job though and no implosions, would have been very close had they not shot themselves in the foot, twice !

    • + 0
    • Jan 5 2018 - 09:59

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 17:00

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 17:00

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,377
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 208
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar