F1 NEWS:Vettel Accuses Hamilton of Contributing to Ferrari’s Struggles in Recent In…read more 

F1 NEWS:Vettel Accuses Hamilton of Contributing to Ferrari’s Struggles in Recent In…read more

In a candid and revealing interview, Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, has pointed to Lewis Hamilton as a key factor in Ferrari’s struggles during his tenure with the Scuderia. Vettel, who raced for Ferrari from 2015 to 2020, admitted to the difficulties the team faced in securing a World Championship despite possessing competitive machinery in several seasons.

Vettel’s tenure at Ferrari was marked by fierce competition with Mercedes, particularly Hamilton, who dominated the sport during this period. Despite Ferrari’s strong car performances, Vettel’s efforts fell short, and the team couldn’t end its long title drought. In his interview, Vettel acknowledged that while Ferrari was frequently close to challenging Mercedes’ dominance, a mix of internal issues and external pressure contributed to their inability to secure the coveted titles.

“The competition with Lewis was always at a very high level,” Vettel began. “Mercedes was a very strong team, and Lewis, as the driver, is a very tough competitor. But I think, sometimes, the focus shifted too much on trying to beat him and trying to match Mercedes rather than purely focusing on what Ferrari could have done better. That’s where we lost time and focus.”

Vettel’s comments underscore the intense rivalry that defined the sport over the past decade. Hamilton’s success with Mercedes has been a dominant narrative in Formula 1, and Vettel believes this intense rivalry created added pressure on Ferrari, which ultimately affected their ability to perform consistently at their best.

“There were seasons when we knew we had a good car, but the mental strain of constantly chasing Mercedes, constantly chasing Lewis, put us in a position where we were reactive instead of proactive,” Vettel added. “That’s not the way you win championships. It’s about perfecting your own car, making the right decisions, and not being distracted by the other teams or the other drivers.”

The German driver’s frustration seems to stem from the fact that, in several seasons, Ferrari was seen as a close contender to Mercedes, yet mistakes on the track, strategy errors, and a series of unfortunate events often led to missed opportunities. Some experts in the motorsport community agree with Vettel’s assessment, arguing that Ferrari’s internal structure and leadership struggles were compounded by the relentless pressure created by Hamilton’s dominance.

Many fans and analysts have long pointed to Ferrari’s internal instability, particularly the shifting leadership within the team, as a major reason for their failure to mount a successful challenge for the title. From technical director changes to strategy blunders, Ferrari’s ability to perform on race days was often inconsistent. However, Vettel’s suggestion that the team might have been too focused on Hamilton and Mercedes provides an intriguing perspective on how external factors influenced their performance.

On the other hand, critics argue that Ferrari’s lack of success under Vettel’s leadership was mainly due to the team’s own shortcomings and not solely because of external pressure. Some believe that Ferrari’s inability to keep up with Mercedes’ development, combined with Vettel’s occasional mistakes on track, were the primary reasons for the team’s failure to clinch the title.

Vettel’s comments also bring attention to the ongoing rivalry between him and Hamilton, which has been one of the most compelling storylines in Formula 1 for the past decade. The two drivers have had some dramatic on-track battles, and their competition has not only shaped the sport but has also built a personal rivalry between them. While Vettel has always been respectful toward Hamilton, this latest interview suggests a deeper level of frustration that may have built up over the years.

As Vettel moves forward in his career, his reflections on his time with Ferrari offer valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Formula 1 and the pressures that come with competing at the highest level. His comments about Hamilton’s role in Ferrari’s struggles may stir up new debates about how external competition affects teams and drivers, but it also serves as a reminder of just how fiercely competitive and mentally taxing the sport can be.

With his recent comments, Vettel adds another layer to his already complex relationship with Hamilton, as both drivers continue to define the golden era of Formula 1. Whether or not Hamilton’s dominance played a significant role in Ferrari’s failure to win titles remains up for debate, but Vettel’s reflections show the multifaceted nature of success and failure in motorsport.

As Vettel continues his post-F1 journey, his thoughts on his Ferrari days serve as both a critique of his own experiences and a broader reflection on the nature of competition in Formula 1.