Sebastian Vettel came out short in the 2018 title race, as mistakes post the summer break haunted him big time and it largely coincided with Ferrari losing some performance and pace in comparison with Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton kept his calm and had an error free second half, one that helped him easily clinch his 5th world title.
However, Bernie Ecclestone feels that there is more to it than what meets the eye.
For Bernie, while Lewis deserved to win the 2018 title, Vettel did not quite deserve to come second, as he feels that he did not quite have the full support of his team.
“Lewis Hamilton is a deserved 2018 F1 champion and Vettel an undeserved 2nd in the championship” Ecclestone said in an interview with AutoBild.
Bernie Ecclestone: “Lewis Hamilton is a deserved 2018 F1 champion and Vettel an undeserved 2nd in the championship”#F1 #Autobild
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) December 1, 2018
When asked as to what he exactly meant by that, Ecclestone said that there was no strong guiding force at Ferrari after the untimely and sad death of Marchionne.
He also said that from the outside it started to seem as if Kimi had more support within the team than Vettel.
Ecclestone boldly commented that had Vettel received the same support as Lewis did, Vettel could have been world champion this year as with respect to skill, he was in no way inferior to Hamilton.
“Lewis was outstanding this year but he also had the full support of the team. You can‘t say that for Sebastian. After Marchionne‘s death, a strong hand was missing and there was more chaos than structure.” Ecclestone said.
“From the outside you had the impression that Ferrari did more for Kimi than for Sebastian. Sebastian is a victim not the culprit. If Vettel had the same support like Lewis, Vettel would have also become champion this year.” he added.
What do you mean by that?
Ecclestone: “Lewis was outstanding this year but he also had the full support of the team. You can‘t say that for Sebastian. After Marchionne‘s death, a strong hand was missing and there was more chaos than structure.”#F1 #Autobild
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) December 1, 2018
Ecclestone: “From the outside you had the impression that Ferrari did more for Kimi than for Sebastian. Sebastian is a victim not the culprit. If Vettel had the same support like Lewis, Vettel would have also become champion this year.”#F1 #Autobild
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) December 1, 2018
Vettel did commit a lot of mistakes all through the season, but that was more because of a lack of support from the team, Ecclestone felt. They mistakes multiplied when Vettel did not seem quite at peace with what was happening in the background.
“A team needs to strengthen their star driver not weaken him.” Ecclestone said.
You criticized Vettel for his mistakes recently and said that compared to Schumacher, he didn‘t bring Ferrari out of the crisis
Ecclestone: “That‘s true but you also have to question why. A team needs to strengthen their star driver not weaken him.”#F1 #Autobild
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) December 1, 2018
Ecclestone: “Jean Todt did that for Michael. But when a driver does not feel the support, the mistakes inceases. Because most of the things happen in the head”#F1 #Autobild
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) December 1, 2018
How will Sebastian handle the defeat from this year? Will he return stronger?
Ecclestone: “I have no doubts about that. But as I said, Vettel needs the support from Ferrari.”#F1 #Autobild
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) December 1, 2018
Do you think Vettel did not quite have the full support of Ferrari?
