The Formula One paddock is scratching its head about the strange and sudden decline of Scuderia Ferrari’s 2018 Formula 1 championship form. Some think Sebastian Vettel’s struggle is because the FIA installed a second sensor in his car’s controversial battery layout, but asked if he could explain what the sensor is for, Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting answered said no.
“If I did that, I would have to describe Ferrari’s car and then the rest of the teams will understand some more things about it,” – Charlie Whiting explained – “I can’t let that happen.”
Others believe that Sebastian is in need of mental training to overcome the pressure of a tight championship battle.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, now commandingly leading the championship after Suzuka with a 67-point lead, isn’t sure why Ferrari has dropped off: “I didn’t expect it,” he said. “Until the mid part of the season they were very strong and then we got to Monza where they were still quite strong, but then Singapore was where it really started to tail off. I don’t really have an answer for that. You should ask Sebastian.”
An editorial in Corriere della Sera, an Italian newspaper, links Ferrari’s performance drop with the death in July of Ferrari CEO and chairman Sergio Marchionne. Corriere della Sera said the former president was the “custodian of internal balance,” and in the absence of that, Ferrari has split into two warring factions. On one side, reportedly, is team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, and on the other is Mattia Binotto, who is regarded as second in line.
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