Vettel can still emulate Schumacher at Ferrari - Arrivabene

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene says Sebastian Vettel's similarities to Michael Schumacher mean he is destined to replicate the Formula 1 icon's title-winning success with the Scuderia. Vettel is set to lose out once again to Lewis Hamilton in 2018, having failed to take full advantage of Ferrari's brief dominance over Mercedes.

Errors on the track and pit wall cost Vettel dearly in Germany, Hungary and Italy – races Hamilton won, despite Ferrari holding a clear pace advantage over the Silver Arrows.

Hamilton's surge in recent weeks mean victory at the United States Grand Prix will crown him for a fifth time, unless Vettel follows him home in second – or is not outscored by eight points in another combination of results.

Although Vettel has been frustrated in 2018, Arrivabene says he retains the talent and passion to make it back to the top.

"It has become a mission impossible [this year], but it's not over," Arrivabene told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"In Austin, however, we do not leave beaten, I want to say it clearly.

"And I am sure that sooner or later Sebastian Vettel will win the World Championship at the wheel of Ferrari.

"I think he is similar to Schumacher: he is German, but very Italian inside and destined for Maranello from an early age."

Although Ferrari's season looks destined to end in defeat in both championships, Arrivabene says Vettel's victory at the British GP will be fondly cherished.

"It was a great emotion to play such a role," he said. "Among the most beautiful victories I remember is that at Silverstone, in the house of Formula 1. It is a bit the Maracana of motors.

"I usually try to always be cold at the wall, I try not to transmit my emotions.

"But I did not manage to hide the thrill of winning that grand prix. There are three races that we absolutely cannot lose every year, the German Grand Prix, at Monza and also Silverstone."

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