Sebastian Vettel is way past enjoying his racing days since hanging up his helmet as he turns his gaze towards a brighter, greener future for the world of motorsport. The German may possibly still be under the hangover of not being competitive with Ferrari or Aston Martin. Yet, the F1 champion’s love for his former team Ferrari, remains unabated, longing for a return to their pinnacle performance.

Despite losing out on competing for podiums with Aston Martin in 2023, this year saw him happy for heading off the track and embark on a new journey advocating for a more sustainable F1, under the “Race without Trace” mission. But one doesn’t forget their home easily. In a recent interview with Gazzetta, Seb was as vocal about his support for the Scuderia, as if he was still racing for them.

Despite his awful departure in 2020, Vettel’s affection for his former team, Ferrari, remains strong. Seb experienced back-to-back heartbreaks in 2017 & 2018 with the Italian outfit, when he missed out on the championship. Keeping on the same trend, the recent performance of Charles Leclerc & Co. has naturally left Vettel and numerous fans disappointed. “As a Ferrari fan, it hurts. I’m sorry to see that the team is unable to fight for the top positions. I hope they find a way to do it soon, but the road won’t be easy,“ he expressed, showcasing his unwavering loyalty and concern.

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Significantly, Ferrari demonstrated a strong performance during Vettel’s tenure, but unfortunately, they were unable to sustain this momentum.

What Happened to Ferrari after Sebastian Vettel Left?

Sebastian Vettel’s tenure at Ferrari, which spanned from 2015 to 2020, was marked by a mix of success and challenges. During this period, Ferrari was often competitive, with Vettel securing 14 Grand Prix wins and finishing second in the championship twice (2017 and 2018). The team was on the right track, showing promise and potential to challenge for the championship.

However, after Vettel’s departure was announced, Ferrari’s performance seems to have taken a downturn. The 2020 season saw the team struggling to maintain its previous competitiveness, finishing sixth in the constructors’ championship. This was a significant drop from their previous standings, and it was clear that the team was facing difficulties in various areas, including car performance and strategy. The 2022 season showed some signs of improvement, with Ferrari being Red Bull’s biggest challenger. However, despite producing a fast car, the team was plagued by poor reliability and strategic errors. These issues saw Charles Leclerc lose touch with Max Verstappen, who ultimately won his second successive title.

The start of the 2023 season had not been promising for Ferrari and has been rather slow. There are doubts about whether they are moving in the right direction. The team’s new principal, Frederic Vasseur, is facing a challenging start to his tenure. One of Ferrari’s biggest problems in 2022 was strategy, and it seems this issue may persist in 2023. Currently 4th in the Constructor’s Championship and behind the dark horses Aston Martin; halfway into this season, Ferrari appears as far away as ever from glory.

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