Vettel says 'why not?' to longer Ferrari future
Sebastian Vettel says he might stay at Ferrari even beyond the end of his 2020 contract.
It is a difficult period for the quadruple world champion, as he loses the faith of the influential Italian media and struggles to keep onto his number 1 status inside the Maranello team. Spa winner Charles Leclerc is certainly not going anywhere.
"I see myself at Ferrari for five more years, and as world champion," the 21-year-old Leclerc said at the team's pre-Italian GP celebrations in Milan on Wednesday.
The street event was attended by many former Ferrari drivers including Eddie Irvine, Jean Alesi, Alain Prost and even ex president Luca di Montezemolo.
"The fact that they invited me? I was very pleased, and means they do not look back to the past with resentment," Montezemolo said. When asked about Leclerc, Montezemolo added: "He reminds me of a young Lauda, quickly learning from his mistakes." And Alesi said: "There is no doubt, the future belongs to Charles at Ferrari."
Fernando Alonso was a notable absentee as he tested for the Dakar rally in Poland, and his fans were angry that the official poster of the event featured only a tiny depiction of his helmeted likeness.
But Chase Carey and Jean Todt were there, chiefly to announce the five-year extension of the Italian GP.
"There are 22 races, but only one Monza and only one Italian audience," F1 CEO Carey said.
That Italian audience is now analysing Ferrari's current situation, but Vettel insists that he can still play a leading role.
"It is very important that we all work together, especially for the development of the car," Vettel said, referring to Leclerc. "Charles was stronger at Spa and I don't like that obviously, but I hope the situation is reversed at Monza. He is very fast and there's always something to learn."
When asked to promise to win Ferrari's home race on Sunday, Vettel answered: "For a German it is not possible to promise something, but I am very happy here, I feel at home, it's a family. "Whether I am going to continue? Why not?" the German smiled.
Boss Mattia Binotto is also confident, saying there is "no reason" that Ferrari can't follow up its strong showing at Spa with a similar performance at Monza.
As for the title? Former president Montezemolo said: "In this sport, you can never say never."
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Not surprised FIA (Ferrari International Assistance) Jean Todt was there.
What a hilarious comment considering the huge amount of dodgy stuff that Mercedes got away with in the last few seasons, thanks to the same organization that you call "FERRARI International Assistance"!
now turn to be FIAMG instead
"Why not" :- Maybe because it's been over a year since you last won a race in, at times, the best car on the grid and at other times the second best car on the grid.
Agreed, this shows the driver and the driver's skills are as important as the race!
It appears Vettel makes 45M$/year. He needs to drastially lower his expectations to continue in F1 beyond 2020, because I wonder if any team is willing to pay even 15M$ for a driver that is over the top.
From the comments I read, you would think that Vettel was the only person driving in F1 that has or has had a problem with a teammate being quicker. Maybe because it is so near in the past that we forget to look further back — but I leave that to you. Seb would have at least one win if he hadn't been found guilty of excellent driving. Maybe a couple more if the F2019 had not lost its composure. The 'young guns' are usually quicker because they have nothing to "unlearn". This should not take away from Vettel's value as a great team driver, something he has been willing g to do. As he says, "we go forward as a team and win as a team". That's the way it should be.