Six years at Ferrari: what did you learn as a driver and as person?
Vettel: “I think the focus here is on interpersonal relationships. I had a very good time with Kimi in particular. Those years have shaped me. Also, working around problems when the car is not as strong, matures you as a person and a driver. The time we spent together with Charles Leclerc was also very helpful, because we’re both at a different place in our careers. And I saw myself in him a lot. I think Charles is the greatest talent I’ve come across in the last 15 years.”
Kimi Räikkönen was the best driver with a Ferrari engine in P12 in Abu Dhabi..Ahead of Charles and you. So you must be relieved about the end of the season?
Sebastian Vettel: “Of course. Now I’m just looking forward to the new team, the new car and the new environment. I was also aware that I still had to finish my work at Ferrari. I’m not someone who takes shortcuts. The road simply had to be taken until Abu Dhabi. Even if we certainly had imagined the final race to be differently. I believe that the environment is very important for all drivers in order to perform well. Maybe one is a little more affected by background noises than the other. But especially in these difficult times, it is an enormous support when you know that you have an intact family behind you. F1 had been the center of my life for over 10 years. But there are many other and, above all, more important things in life than our sport. But, I came to the conclusion that there was still something in me. And that’s how I got in touch with the new Aston Martin team.”
How often did you really think about retirement?
Sebastian Vettel: “Since I no longer had a future at Ferrari, the question naturally arose immediately: What are you doing in 2021? And since the top cockpits were not available, I had to think about it for a long time.”
When Ferrari terminated your contract on May 12, two months before the start of the season, it must have hurt your self-confidence and motivation.
Sebastian Vettel: “Well, [terminated] is actually wrong. They simply didn’t renew my contract. I could have done the same thing back then. Of course, from that day on, the signs for the new season were already different from previous years. But even sadder are the performances that were so poor this year. After all, we didn’t have a competitive car. When you drive for a team for six years, there are always things that are good or not good. You go through crises together. That’s normal. I was part of the team in the highs as well as in the lows.”
How often have you been tested (Corona)?
Sebastian Vettel: “Since the start of the season in July, I would say every three days. That brings us to around 60 tests. Fortunately always negative.”
What’s crazier this year: corona or your last season with Ferrari?
Sebastian Vettel: “I don’t think you can compare these two things. The pandemic certainly shocked us more than my last season with Ferrari. Above all, the global issue is not off the table, and it stresses us out more because our freedoms are being restricted more and more. Next to corona, sport really plays a subordinate role here.”
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