Daimler boss: "Ferrari win good for F1"

  • Published on 27 Mar 2018 13:23
  • comments 5
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Dieter Zetsche says Ferrari's win at the 2018 season opener is "good for the championship". He is chairman of Daimler, the parent of Mercedes who have won the past four world championships and are once again favourites in 2018. Speaking to the Italian news agency Ansa, Zetsche said of Sebastian Vettel's surprise win: "It was good for the championship."

Some think Mercedes will ultimately win the title, though, amid reports the German team has even cracked the 1000hp ceiling with its engine. "Whether it's Renault, Ferrari or us, we are not far from that (number) but we have not quite reached it yet," team boss Toto Wolff told Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

But within weeks, engine makers will be presented with more details about Liberty Media's plans for the 2021 engine regulations. Ferrari and Mercedes are not happy that the rules could change considerably. "Formula one is high-tech," said Wolff. "And we have to get that message across in order to not lose credibility. The engine should be basically be similar to today, although perhaps less complicated."

Others, however, think Ferrari and Mercedes should take their F1 quit threats and actually follow through for the good of the sport. "The sooner Mercedes and Ferrari break away the better as far as I'm concerned," 1996 world champion Damon Hill said on Twitter. "These massive industrial complexes are ruining the sport. They don't want to play. They want it all, and all the time. The FIA have lost grip of F1." (GMM)

A win that isnt Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull would be good for F1, methinks.

  • 1
  • Mar 27 2018 - 20:08

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • A win that isnt Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull would be good for F1, methinks.

    • + 1
    • Mar 27 2018 - 20:08
  • While a Mercedes dominance has taken its toll on excitement in Formula 1, I appreciate Mercedes always expressing (at least in words) interest in improving the 'show' in F1. Overly dominant teams are usually not great for the show, but I must say that at least Mercedes has allowed their drivers to race each other, there's been some excitement there. They haven't applied obscene team orders. I'd take this Mercedes dominance over Ferrari or Red Bull's any day.

    • + 0
    • Mar 27 2018 - 22:20
    • I agree, although they dont need team orders anymore, the difference between Bottas and Hammy is too great. I generally find Merc to be a pretty sportsmanlike team, and I appreciate that in them, but I just cant bring myself to have them as my favourite team.

      • + 0
      • Mar 28 2018 - 06:21
  • Of course it's "good for the championship". That's why the results between Mercedes and Ferrari are fixed. They work together and plan who will be first on Saturday and Sunday in advance. Ferrari gets technical help and can win a few races, but in the end they have to give the championship to Mercedes.

    The whole 2017 season was scripted between these two. Under normal circumstances Mercedes would lap the field every race and nobody would watch it.

    • + 0
    • Mar 28 2018 - 10:35
    • Oh what a lovely conspiracy. By the by, fancy a tinfoil hat? They are real cheap now 'round April's fools.

      • + 0
      • Mar 28 2018 - 17:55

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

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

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

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

Driver profile

  • Country Germany
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (37)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, Germany
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar