Vettel’s last time in a Ferrari: Farewell is not difficult

Sebastian Vettel just three words are enough for a conclusion after six years at Ferrari. “We failed,” said the four-time Formula 1 world champion in red before his last appearance.

The 33-year-old will leave the Scuderia unfinished for Aston Martin when he gets out of his car on December 13 (2.10 p.m. / RTL and Sky) after the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Without the longed-for title, without having managed, like his idol Michael Schumacher, to lead the Italians back to the front.

“We wanted to win the title and have not made it,” said Vettel at a press conference. As an excuse, the veteran did not allow either allegedly excessive pressure from outside or Mercedes as the strongest opponent in the history of the motorsport top class. «Our goal was to be stronger than them. That didn’t work out and that’s why we failed, “said Vettel clearly:” We were sometimes close, sometimes we were far away. That is the truth and there is nothing wrong with saying it out loud. “

Vettel and Ferrari – that was more torture than Grande Amore, especially last year. The Heppenheimer will end the season worse than ever since he became a regular driver in 2008. He is in 13th place shortly before the end of the Corona emergency season, even twelfth place is out of reach. Actually out of the question for Hessen, who dominated the Red Bull from 2010 to 2013. “The years with Scuderia Ferrari were a great journey on which we learned so much,” said Vettel. But above all he had to learn how to lose.

First against the overwhelming Silver Arrows around long-term winner Lewis Hamilton, then against the stubborn team-mate Charles Leclerc. The Monegasse rose to number one in the team last year, the Italians see their future in the 23-year-old. Vettel now has to make way for the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (26), who comes from McLaren. He was informed of the expulsion in the spring. “The call was very hard because Seb didn’t expect it,” recalled team boss Mattia Binotto on the Formula 1 podcast this week and added: “I’m glad he will stay in Formula 1.”

And why did it not work out in the long time together that Ferrari became world champion again? “There is no easy answer to that,” said Binotto. But it was certainly not due to Vettel himself. “In the past six years there have been many changes in important positions at Ferrari, and there has been a lack of stability in the group. That didn’t help our project. That is perhaps the main reason, “said the much-criticized Binotto.

Vettel has 14 wins, 55 podium places, twelve pole positions and a total of 1400 World Championship points at Scuderia. «Only Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda were better than him. That alone shows the huge footsteps that he has left with us, ”said Binotto of“ Sport Bild ”. In Abu Dhabi it should get emotional again. Vettel wants to thank the Tifosi and the employees with a special helmet. “The fact that I will be wearing different colors next year will not prevent me from staying in touch with my friends at Ferrari,” he said.

In 2021 everything should get better after torturous months full of setbacks. The new Aston Martin works team, the successor to Racing Point, wants to establish itself with Vettel in the lead. The victory of the Mexican Sergio Perez, who has to give way for Vettel, last Sunday in Bahrain shows what is possible. Vettel doesn’t want to talk about titles, Mercedes is still far too dominant for that. But a return to the podium as a permanent guest would be to the taste of the 53-time Grand Prix winner, who absolutely wants to shine again.

His current situation looks very different. “Right now it’s very difficult to even come up with a green branch. I’m fighting my way through there, ”said Vettel before the 118th Grand Prix with the Scuderia. Nevertheless, he had «played an important role in Ferrari’s history», said stable rival Leclerc, spoke of the «end of an era» and added: «It would be fantastic if we could have another great race. He deserves it. “

Vettel will continue to watch closely what happens at Ferrari – also because of Mick Schumacher. On Friday, the son of Formula 1 record champion Michael Schumacher climbed into the car of the US racing team Haas for the first time in free practice, which he will drive as a regular driver from 2021. As a member of Ferrari’s junior academy, the 21-year-old can recommend himself for a cockpit at Scuderia in the coming years. “I’m happy for him,” said Vettel, who will no longer be the only German pilot in 2021: “Mick is someone who is always learning and can always develop, where many may stop.”

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