Vettel: Ferrari has made title race 'too easy' for Mercedes
- Published on 08 Oct 2018 16:38
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Sebastian Vettel believes that Ferrari has made the title race too easy for Mercedes over the last number of races. Mercedes has streaked away from Ferrari, who has had a handful of disruptive weekends.
Vettel and Ferrari last won a Grand Prix in Belgium at the end of August. Since then, Mercedes has taken the following four victories. Vettel now sits 67 points behind Lewis Hamilton in the driver's standings after getting involved in a series of mishaps.
When he was questioned about his title hopes, he replied: “Obviously there is still a chance. At the last couple of races we made it a bit too easy for them but also credit to them as they executed well, which is the name of the game.
“But we need to look after ourselves and do our bit the next couple of races and then we see. But it doesn’t help when we finish sixth and they win the race. I think we have great potential in this team, the last weeks have been tough for us … we could be in a better place, but we are not. That’s for a reason."
Vettel remains optimistic for the future and has encouraged the team to push on. Hamilton can wrap up the title next time out in the USA if he wins and Vettel doesn't finish in second place.
“But we look forward, and even if the last weeks have been difficult, the spirit inside the team if you look at the guys and so on is incredible. It’s incredible how powerful they are, how strong they are and how positive they are throughout.
“I think that made this team very strong and will make this team very strong at the next race and in the future. We know that we still have a lot of potential to unleash but we still need to work and dig a little deeper and so on. But for now we want to prove that the last few races are not what we can deliver.”
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Replies (9)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Ferrari and you, Vettel. The two of you had the world together, ripe for you to (over)take, yet you wasted your shots. And chances are you might not get another shot like this.
DGuzmanG
Posts: 15
Hey Calle, he never distinguished between himself and the team... Only this awfully click baiting headline did...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I know, I just wanted to emphasis it further. :)
jj284b
Posts: 22
Ferrari? NOPE, you made it easy...
f1dave
Posts: 782
Now it's a team effort. Laughable.
DGuzmanG
Posts: 15
Hey jj284p, read the actual quote, not the headline, he never distinguished between himself and the team...
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Vettel has done more damage to his brand this year than all previous years combined. He came out looking so weak. We can blame Ferrari, but the reality is that the championship was lost long before a couple of bad strategy calls. Furthermore, those strategy calls probably cost a 10 or 15pts, but Vettel's mistake added up... we're talking 50+ pts.
I thought last year Sebastian and Ferrari threw away the championship, but this year is next level. They had the best car most of the season, and still lost many races with the best car on track.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, if they managed to impress in some way this year, it was in the raw level of messing up. They had every chance this year to grab the championship and just chomp it up like I do with every cake that gets within the danger zone of 3 meters surrounding me at all times. The strategy, the upgrading, Vettel's racing and composure... There was not a single right this year. :(
Kean
Posts: 692
How are the Tifosi taking all this? Are they screaming for Alonso's return? If Ferrair produces a competitive car next year I wouldn't be surprised if Leclerc beats Vettel and perhaps even becomes World Champ.