‘At Ferrari, by trying to keep both drivers happy, it appears that neither are’ – Will Buxton. Will Buxton on Seb and Charles.

Following on from an intriguing Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom, Formula One paddock insider Will Buxton was asked to comment on whether the driver situation at Scuderia Ferrari right now can be compared to Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s intense rivalry at its peak:

“That’s a tricky one, as every relationship is so unique that it’s tough to compare. I think if you really want to compare, however, the better might be Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso at McLaren back in 2007. In that situation, you had a young buck keen to make an impression and skirting the edges of acceptability, and an older champion whose standing demanded respect and who would and should have expected to be given it.” – he said, as reported by Formula One’s official website earlier today.

“You also have an apparent breakdown in communication – and that is where things differ to Mercedes. Hamilton and Rosberg had clear rules establishing what was and was not acceptable, and when they broke them there was hell to pay. At Ferrari, by trying to keep both drivers happy, it appears that neither are, and so the team risks fracturing and suffering. Mattia Binotto has the same conundrum that Ron Dennis had in ‘07. You don’t want to dampen the fire of your youngster, but you don’t want to deny the greatness of the champ. Not an easy one at all.” – Formula One paddock insider Will Buxton concluded.