Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne is expecting to see less emotion from his lead driver Sebastian Vettel next season, after split moment decisions severely impacted his championship hopes in 2017.
Known as a driver who runs on instinct and passion, from his exuberant celebrations to his moments of rage, it would be two such instances of the latter which let him down in his battle against Lewis Hamilton.
The most notable came in Baku when, after feeling he has been brake tested by the Briton awaiting a Safety Car restart, he pulled alongside the Mercedes and banged wheels earning a 10-second stop/ go penalty for dangerous driving, which would ultimately cost him the win.
Then in Singapore, a bold move to try and cut off Max Verstappen at the start led to a three-car crash including teammate Kimi Raikkonen and a first retirement of the year as Hamilton claimed an unlikely win.
Vettel has himself admitted a need to stay calm under pressure and it is that self-evaluation which Marchionne thinks will see him change his approach in 2018.
“Sebastian Vettel is a guy who studies a lot, studies himself and is committed, therefore, I think that we will see less of his emotional side,” Marchionne said at Ferrari’s annual Christmas lunch with the media.
“I think he has learned enough. Plus, there were plenty of opportunities for him to get annoyed, as he’s had a couple of rather difficult seasons, this year and the previous one.”
The main positive for Ferrari is the return to the front, challenging for victories even if the championship was out of reach, and the Chairman believes it is now up to the drivers to get the job done.
“I continue to maintain we have an obligation towards these drivers, to give them a car with which they can race the others,” he said. “I think we gave them a great car in 2017 and so, from now on, it’s down to him.”
