Pressure is getting to Vettel at Ferrari, says Rosberg
FORMER world champion Nico Rosberg believes Sebastian Vettel is struggling to enjoy life at Ferrari.
The four-time world champion heads into his home race at Hockenheim tomorrow already 100 points adrift of Lewis Hamilton in the standings.
It is approaching a year since Vettel, 32, last celebrated a win. His No.1 status at Ferrari is being challenged by young Charles Leclerc in the sister car. A fortnight ago at Silverstone, Vettel finished 16th after he crashed into the back of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the latest in a long line of mistakes.
Ferrari’s form in pre-season testing suggested Vettel would have the machinery to end the Italian team’s 12-year championship drought, but so concerning is the German’s form that there are question marks as to whether he will even see out his Scuderia contract which expires at the end of next season.
“Sebastian is having a rough season,” Rosberg said. “You start the year expecting to be the world champion and when things go wrong it is really tough. Being a Ferrari driver is the ultimate pressure. You have the whole of Italy on your back. It must be difficult to enjoy.
“F1 affects your mum, dad, and wife. That is why it is so intense. The suffering and the joy goes all the way to your home, and it never stops. Now, there is huge pressure from Leclerc, too, a young guy who is driving so well. Verstappen is in front of both Ferrari drivers in the championship. Can you believe that? S***.
“We know that Seb is one of the best out there if he drives the way he can. I hope he finds his way because that is what he needs right now.”
There is little evidence, however, to suggest Vettel is set to turn a corner. It was here a year ago, where Vettel, on course to win his home race and extend his championship lead over Hamilton to 20 points, skidded off the track and into the gravel. Hamilton won the race to land a 17-point cushion over his rival. Vettel has not returned to the summit of the standings since and his collision with Verstappen took his error count to seven in 21 appearances. Three of those errors came while in wheel-towheel combat with Hamilton. Has the British star got under Vettel’s skin?
Hamilton’s team boss Toto Wolff said: “Undoubtedly, Lewis has a great ability and talent, but I know Sebastian, and his record speaks for him. I have no reason to believe that he will not recover.”
Vettel will take some comfort from being fastest in first practice. Leclerc led the way in the afternoon running with Hamilton third.
“The pressure I put on myself is bigger than any external factors,” Vettel said. “It doesn’t feel like a burden driving for Ferrari. It is a privilege.”