Scrutiny is growing on Sebastian Vettel following his latest faux pas during the British Grand Prix.
The German would crunch into the back of Max Verstappen moments after been overtaken by the Red Bull driver through Stowe corner, costing himself a chance of points.
It was a collision that was in stark contrast to the epic wheel-to-wheel racing Max had enjoyed with Charles Leclerc for much of the race, and Formula 1 motorsport director Ross Brawn believes it is another sign of tough situation Vettel is facing.
“It’s a difficult moment for Sebastian, as he probably feels under a different kind of pressure than he’s used to, and he must be asking himself what direction he should now go in, given that again this year, his chance of putting Ferrari back on top is slipping away,” he said in his post-race debrief.
“Since Canada, Sebastian seems to have been struggling more and more, and in Silverstone, those woes deepened further.
“Unlike Leclerc, he never felt comfortable in the car, as can be seen from the gaps in qualifying. Then, in the race, he didn’t make the most of the Safety Car opportunity, after it had seen him move up to third.
“And then came the mistake when he slammed into the back of Verstappen’s car. He realised immediately that he’d erred and after the race quickly sought Max out to apologise.”
Brawn continues to have faith in Vettel and his ability to rebound, noting how Ferrari will do all they can to help the four-time world champion.
“Sebastian is an incredible driver, as his record shows, but at the moment, he needs to keep calm and to rely on support from his team, which I’m sure he is getting,” he said.
“I reckon there is no other team like Ferrari when it comes to surrounding its drivers with affection and positive energy.”
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While Vettel's results continue to lag behind Leclerc's, however, a less sympathetic Ralf Schumacher thinks the Italian team may have a decision to make.
“Two young drivers are duelling but one of the older ones in Sebastian cannot manage it,” the former Williams driver told Sky Deutschland.
“That should not be happening to him. Sebastian has to be careful not to lose his number one status.
“He almost has and Charles is not making it easy for him.”
