Ferrari years were "a rollercoaster" - Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari years were "a rollercoaster" - Vettel

Aston Martin driver failed to break Mercedes' dominance during his time at Ferrari

Sam Hall

Saturday 30 January 2021 12:44

New Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has described his six-year stint at Ferrari as a "rollercoaster ride", with the four-time Formula 1 champion pinpointing 2018 as the "decisive" year in which the tide turned.

After leaving Red Bull at the end of 2014, Vettel was a championship contender in his early years at Ferrari, particularly in the 2017 and '18 seasons, only to finish runner-up to Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton on both occasions.

Vettel, who learned before last season started his contract would not be renewed, ultimately departed the Scuderia on a low note with the worst championship finish and career-low of 33 points from a full campaign.

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Asked if crashing out of the 2018 German Grand Prix while leading comfortably was the beginning of the end, Vettel said it was impossible to put his performance drop off down to one particular aspect.

"No, I think it was pretty much a rollercoaster ride over the years with a lot of things happening," said Vettel, who this week was seen at Aston Martin meeting staff and having his seat fit.

"For sure, in terms of momentum in that year, it didn't help. The mistake was a little mistake with a huge outcome and a huge penalty, but there were definitely more things happening."

Explaining further, Vettel added: "I think in the '18 season, obviously, we had the passing of Mr Marchionne [former Ferrari CEO], the change in leadership from Maurizio [Arrivabene] to Mattia [Binotto].

"So maybe the '18 season was a decisive year for many things, but I don’t know if you can really break it down to one thing."

After that crash, Vettel made a growing number of high-profile errors, including a spin at the US Grand Prix later that year which put Hamilton in a position to wrap up a fifth drivers' title at the next race.

A pragmatic Vettel added: "Everything that happened, happened for a reason, and I think the main thing on my side is to make sure that I learned from it.

"I think I have grown with it, somewhere, moments on the track like you mentioned in Germany, Hockenheim, and other moments off the track.

"Overall I feel much more comfortable or, let’s say, in a better place now than those years ago, but certainly at times it hasn’t always been easy and straightforward."