Here you are the translation of the beautiful interview Sebastian had with Sky Sport's journalist Mara Sangiorgio. They talked about the last six years for Seb as a Ferrari driver, the future in Aston Martin, the new generation of drivers and the Tifosi.
Which word do you choose to describe this journey?
Vettel: “My Italian isn’t perfect but I think a word isn’t enough. Six years with Ferrari, very special people is difficult to explain. Surely I’ll miss the people, the colours. By the way is nice this green shirt, isn’t it? (Looking at Mara Sangiorgio’s shirt :D).
Ferrari has been a great part of my life in F1, this will never change!”
What have you learned in these 6 years of Ferrari?
Vettel: "A bit of Italian (smiles). But I also learned how to party. In general these seasons have taught me a lot, as a driver & also as a man. I interacted with many people, with Italian culture. I learned a lot about Ferrari & about Italy as a country, about its values."
Looking at the highs and lows of these years... There’s something you have would done in a different way?
Vettel: “Certainly if you look back it's always easy to know what could have done differently. But I don’t think it’s the right thing, to look back. What matters is that you learn from what went wrong and also when it went right, you can always learn how to do better. I think it would be wrong to be able to go back to make the things right, everything happens for a reason. There have been many highs and lows , many changes. When I started the team was completely different in terms of people, management. There have been a lot of changes in these years, some things were good, other things not so good. If you sum it up, it is what we call experience. Sure, if you go back and you correct all the things, it can give you more wins but you not the experience. And in life, the experience it’s what shapes the future.”
There’s someone you’ll miss more?
Vettel: “In 2015 when I joined the team, it was great because we had the first podium at the first race, the win at the second race. The team got to know me, because I’ve always wanted to be part of it. The party after the Malaysia race, drinking, singing and having a good time… That’s I wanted: be part of the team, one of them, “uno di noi”. I think that the most important people know that. Maybe I wasn’t always good enough for everyone, but ultimately everybody has their style, and that’s my style. I always liked to be close to the team. That’s the biggest thing I’ll miss about Ferrari. The positive thing is that most of them there will be the next year, we can see each other, to get a chat.I never made distinctions about what uniform people wear, the shirt. much more important it’s what is underneath.
When I joined the team it was more about the colors, now that I leave it's more about the people."
The most important person in your Ferrari career?
Vettel: "Riccardo [Adami]. From my little group without doubt. I had a path with him. It was important to have him as a reference, we already knew each other. He understood me, in terms of performance he was the most important person. In a larger picture Maurizio. I think that from outside he wasn't well understood, it wasn't easy to work with Marchionne. He was very particular, he put great pressure on people & with Maurizio he wasn't always been kind. I think Arrivabene really has a big heart.”
What you’ll miss most about the Italians?
Vettel: “I think you can’t take Ferrari as a stereotype of Italy, because Italy is much more. Ferrai is a big part in the imaginary of people. But it would be unfair to shrink Italy just like the side of Ferrari. Inside this team there are many talents from Italy, young people with ideas. It’s just a microcosm at the end, the F1, living in our bubble, this year very much. But it’s healthy to look outside as well and that’s why I think Italy is much more. The way people interact, the communication, so on… there’s a lot of things you can learn.”
It was a difficult year for you. Did it bother you when they questioned your qualities?
Vettel: “These things don’t get so close to me. You’re right by saying it wasn’t an easy year. You look at the results, but results don’t give the measure. I felt it was a difficult one. Before starting, they told me I wouldn’t have been part of the team for the future. This has changed many things, has created a lot of questions. At the end, I’m very grateful because these questions made think me a lot."
You have never questioned yourself?
Vettel: “Yes, a lot. I feel better now going to the next season. I had discussions with myself, with my closest: my wife, my friends, the closest people around me about what I want to do in the future and how. I think this year shaped me a lot. I hope to prove the next year with the results too but mostly to be happy.”
Was Leclerc the most difficult teammate you faced?
Vettel: "He is certainly very fast and talented, he is in a different phase of his career. I was able to learn from him too and it was interesting. I could see something of me in him, as I was ten years ago. He's a smart guy and I can only say good things. For sure this last year has been difficult for me, there were other issues at stake besides having to drive.But that shouldn't take away any credit from Charles.Everything that is said about him is true: he is strong and mature for his age. He has a bright future ahead of him and will do things right. “
Who do you like the most about the new generation?
Vettel: “It’s difficult to pick the strongest. I think F1 has never been the best in terms of really showing in a consistent way who he’s the best. It’s depending on so many factors. For sure Charles, I rate him as one of the fastest of the new generation. This generation is very fast, mature at a young age.”
Different from yours?
Vettel:” Maybe a little bit. They’re raising the bar again. They didn’t started that young, but more in a professional way. Charles’ go-kart time was very different from mine, more analysis more technical meetings. Instead I played with the toy cars on the dirt road after the races. The karting world has evolved, not only F1 but the categories underneath as well. And that’s their strongest point, but the on the other way they take it too serious, they talk more about themselves on the social media.But I think it’s the different generation.”
Would you see George as Lewis teammate?
Vettel: “I think there are two things to say about that. I think George had a great weekend and it was great to give him the chance to show he has the speed. But what I don’t like it’s to compare George and Lewis. They are completely different persons, they are in different moments of their careers. You have to respect of what Lewis achieved in the last 15 years. I think it’s a good example how people’s opinions shift, some of it it’s good, you start thinking in a new way, but in this case they are disrespectful towards Lewis. He has to prove nothing."
How much you are happy for Mick?
Vettel: “ I’m very happy for him. First of all, he is a nice man. I think he has a great potential. He is the kind of guy at the beginning isn’t the most aggressive, that shows things never seen before, but he’s a very very fast learner and he keeps year after year. He keep making progress. We’ve seen it in F3, F2. He’s a very clever guy. I like him. I get along with him very well, and I’m happy to help him every time and when it will be possible.”
Have you already started to think about your next adventure?
Vettel: “Yes, I had the all year to think. I’m excited, it’s a new chapter of my life, of my race life.It will be exciting to join the team. Things happen for the first time, very different from when I joined Ferrari. It’s a young team. I can’t wait to join, contribute as much as I can, also together as Lance to help and growing together as a team.”
Do you think that Lawrence Stroll can be for Racing Point what Sergio Marchionne has been for you and Ferrari?
Vettel: “Hopefully more. Sergio has been a very very capable man. He achieved a lot in his career, but he wasn’t always the easier to work with. As for now, Lawrence has been very transparent and open. I think he has a vision.”
Many Italian fans wrote me on social media, and since this is the last interview with you as a Ferrari driver, they asked me to say to you Grazie per questi sei anni.
Vettel: “ Thank you, Grazie. This is exactly what I felt. It has been a very much difficult year. I received critics from the outside, sometimes right, sometimes not. What I tried to say after the race in Turkey, I felt the support from the fans, in a way that surprises myself as well. There are things you forget because you always at the next race. But the Ferrari fans are very good in remember. For this I’m grateful because I got the support. I think it’s really nice. Very very flattered.”
Translation: @sebforever587 - Paola
Images : @mara_sangiorgio, @sebforever587
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