How is your relationship with Mattia?
Sebastian Vettel: “Good, it’s professional. I am old enough to understand and accept decisions. I had a long time to reflect on the aftermath. I don’t hold a grudge. I’m not that type of person.”
When Mattia Binotto called you to tell you that he would not renew your contract, did you feel betrayed?
Sebastian Vettel: “No.”
Moving on to 2019, Charles Leclerc arrives. Is this the beginning of the end of your Ferrari adventure?
Vettel: “Charles has nothing to do with it. But I don’t think like that, on the ups and downs: I was part of this team for six years and I was the first one who wanted to help recover.”
Is Charles Leclerc the strongest teammate you have faced in F1?
Vettel: “They were all strong, but Charles is the most promising. He will be one of the future stars. I would be surprised if he doesn’t become one!”
Are there regrets?
Vettel: “No, things happen for a reason. For better or for worse. Yes, we could have gone better, it would have been nice to win the championship. But in those moments we did what we thought was right. We must look at the journey as a whole: after the peaks of 2017 and 2018, last year there was no progression and this year it was even more complicated for several reasons. And yet we pushed hard to become competitive again.”
How close were you to win the championship in your Ferrari years?
Vettel: “What is the point of thinking about it again? I look ahead. Anyway, I still give you an answer: in 2017 the car was very competitive. The following year we had a better “package” with more potential. But we weren’t able to develop it to fight in the final stages of the championship, so we didn’t win.”
And Maurizio Arrivabene?
Sebastian Vettel: “From the outside he was not understood, but he played a very important role in the relaunch. I immediately got on well with him, despite some difficulties. There was trust between us. Maurizio faced complicated periods. It is hard to be team principal when you are close to your goal and then you don’t reach it. I learned a lot from Maurizio.”
Marchionne, who was he for you?
Vettel: “A very powerful man, sometimes impetuous. He had a lot of influence on F1. He was not an easy guy and he was difficult to argue with. But everyone respected him. His passing/death was a shock for us.”
Your most beautiful Ferrari victories?
Vettel: “Malaysia in 2015. It was the second race and a wonderful start. And Monaco in 2017.”
Your first day in Maranello as a driver?
Vettel: “On 29/11/14 in Fiorano. I was excited, but also focused on the intense program. I had already been there with Toro Rosso, but with Ferrari everything changes. I will never forget it.”
You arrived at the end of 2014, trying to imitate your idol Schumi: what comes to your mind when you think back?
Vettel: “Marchionne on the phone saying: Why don’t we build something together, would you like to help us bring Ferrari back to win? I told him yes.”
How was the environment?
Vettel: “There was so much hope. Also from me. Since childhood, the Prancing Horse was a myth, thanks to Michael’s legacy.”
Fourteen wins, after Schumacher and Lauda, you are Ferrari’s most successful driver, how does it feel to leave like this?
Vettel: “Not bad, but the balance sheet could have been richer/more: 14 is just a number, it matters little.”
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