Sebastian Vettel knows Ferrari with all its promises and all its dark sides. The four-time Formula 1 world champion’s thoughts about record champion Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari season at the Scuderia are all the more exciting.
In the “Beyond The Grid” podcast, Vettel not only looked back on Hamilton’s difficult first year at Ferrari, but also self-critically looked back on his own time in Maranello.
When asked how difficult it was to move from a British team like Mercedes to Ferrari, Vettel answered clearly: “It’s different, very different. But I loved it. I don’t regret it and I had a fantastic time.”
Vettel drove for Ferrari from 2015 to 2020, winning 14 races. However, the big goal, the World Cup title with the Reds, remained unfulfilled. In 2017 and 2018 it was enough to finish runner-up in the world championship behind Lewis Hamilton.
From his own experiences with the Italians, two points particularly stuck with him: language and culture.
Although Formula 1 as a whole is heavily influenced by English, adapting to the traditional Italian racing team is essential for every driver in the team, emphasized Vettel: “I adapted and I loved it.”
World title with Ferrari? “He deserved it”
Ferrari is a world of its own, something seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton also had to experience. “Moving to Ferrari is certainly a huge difference because the heart and culture of the team is Italian,” Vettel continued in the podcast.
This is exactly where Vettel sees his own mistake in retrospect. “I really should have learned the language more intensively.” And further: “Perhaps also spend more time in Italy to understand the culture better.”
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He ultimately gave this advice to his long-time colleague Hamilton: “The only advice I can give you – the best advice – is: Learn the language. Learn it really, really well.” Because this is the only way true understanding can arise. “To learn a language, you have to expose yourself to it.”
In terms of sport, Vettel still believes Hamilton can do anything, but warns about patience. “The longer it takes, the harder it becomes.” Nevertheless, he believes in the mental strength of the 105-time Grand Prix winner: “Lewis has an incredible ability to reflect on his situation.”
If everything comes together, Vettel believes Hamilton’s world title in a Ferrari is still possible: “It would be great if it worked. He would have deserved it.”