Vettel’s time at Ferrari should not be judged a failure: Massa

Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa does not believe Sebastian Vettel’s time at the Italian Formula One team can be classed a failure. Germany’s Vettel, who won four world drivers’ titles at Red Bull before moving to Ferrari in 2015, is leaving the Maranello outfit at the end of the season with his future uncertain.

“You cannot forget that the last time Ferrari won the (constructors’) championship was in 2008,” Massa, who was pipped to the drivers’ title that year by Lewis Hamilton, told Sky Sports yesterday. “It’s true that many good drivers passing through the team were not able to win. So it’s not only related to Sebastian. Sebastian did many great races, he won many races or he fought.”

The emergence of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari has appeared to have hastened the departure of Vettel, who is being replaced by McLaren’s Carlos Sainz. Massa, who retired from F1 in 2017, believes the German could walk away from the sport with no obviously enticing driver jobs available. “Sebastian is a driver and a guy who is always very focused on what he wants. So I’m not surprised that maybe he decides even to stop,” Massa said.

A seat is possibly free at Renault after Daniel Ricciardo signed for McLaren for next year. Racing Point’s rebrand as Aston Martin may also appeal to Vettel, according to some pundits. F1 has yet to hold a race this season because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the calendar set to open without fans in Austria on July 5. McLaren Group announced that 1,200 staff across divisions including racing were being made redundant.

MOTORSPORT UK AIMS TO GET BACK ON TRACK FROM JULY 4

The governing body for motorsport in Britain aims to resume racing activities without spectators from July 4, it said yesterday. Motorsport UK suspended all its events throughout the country from March to the end of June due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have explained our plans to government and are fortunate that motorsport takes place outdoors over large controlled spaces,” said Motorsport UK chairman David Richards in a statement. “Our plan is that, subject to government advice and ongoing lifting of restrictions, motorsport will resume from 4th July.

“We are making this announcement now as event organisers, venues, preparation specialists, the supply chain, volunteer marshals, officials and competitors all need time to put in place their plans.”

Motorsport UK said it would allow only half the number of event permits compared to July 2019 to ensure sufficient marshals were available. It said no national or British championship events would be held in July to reduce travel.

Silverstone was due to host the British Formula One Grand Prix on July 19 but could now have two races, in late July and August, under a revised calendar and dependent on government approval. “If we move into August that might give a little more certainty but, actually, I think it’s probably essential that there’s clarity on the quarantine situation in advance of that,” Silverstone circuit boss Stuart Pringle told Sky Sports. Britain is due to introduce a 14-day quarantine period for most arrivals in the country from June 8. Formula One has yet to be granted an exemption.