“Disaster for Weeks”: Sebastian Vettel Opens up on the Effects of Media on an F1 Driver

Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel believes Ferrari outperforming its rivals is a bigger achievement than beating Charles Leclerc. The 4 times World Champion also opened up on how the media portrays him on different race weekends. Furthermore, the German stressed the importance of ignoring a few points in an intrateam rivalry.

Sebastian Vettel on competing with Charles Leclerc

Ferrari’s 2019 season was a rollercoaster. The Scuderia started off slow and had a disastrous couple of races until the summer break. Post the summer shutdown, Ferrari annihilated the competition and looked unbeatable for a brief period. However, the team got entangled in the midst of huge controversy over its engine and the FIA and finished the year on a low.

In his debut season as a Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc out-qualified and outscored his more seasoned teammate. As the season progressed, the relationship between the duo turned sour and reached a new low at the penultimate race. Not only did Ferrari have the problem of an uncompetitive car but also trying to make two unhappy drivers get along.

All things said and done; Ferrari failed to accomplish its main goal yet again. For 13 years now, the Scuderia’s primary target has been clinching the World Championship. They’ve been unsuccessful so far but having squabbles within the team will only make things worse.

Sebastian Vettel feels outscoring a teammate by a few points does nothing for the team’s goal in general. Speaking exclusively to Autosport, Vettel said:

“It is not so important whether I have five points more or less 

“The important thing is that we are heading in the right direction as a team.

“Then five points up or down, for sure in the moment I care, but really what all of our target is here, is to make sure that Ferrari comes back to the top.”

The media

The German driver also revealed how he deals with the media and the difficult questions put before him. Vettel’s recent dip in form has become a topic of discussion as of late.

“The questions change every day, they change after every result,” he said.

“So in this regard, I feel like it’s a lot more short-lived nowadays. If you have a bad day, things are a disaster for the next weeks.

“If you have a good day, you are the greatest for the next weeks.

Vettel’s contract with Maranello outfit expires at the end of this year. He is yet to announce his future regarding the sport.