Remembering Ferrari’s difficult 2016 is making this year’s ongoing success feel more “special” according to Sebastian Vettel.
The German is well-known for passionate celebrations after victories and his last in Monaco was arguably one of his biggest to date, ending a 16-year baron spell of success for the Italian team in Monte Carlo and seeing his championship lead increase to 25 points.
Two facts many would have thought near-impossible at the end of last year, as the Scuderia finished third in the Constructors’ standings and appeared to be falling back main rivals Mercedes and Red Bull with new rules coming that weren’t expected to suit the team.
“We got a lot of hard times last year and this year everything seems to be upside down,” Vettel was quoted by ESPN, “but the team is the same, the people are the same so it’s really clear to them.
“We wanted to have the one-two and we got it. So for the team obviously it means a lot. It’s been a long time – you know the numbers better than I do – since Ferrari won and then to get a one-two is just fantastic.
“I think you can see when the guys are singing the Italian anthem. I think it’s impossible not to get goosebumps and feel very special standing up there representing them. For me, I think that’s what makes racing so special.”
That feeling of camaraderie within the team and continuing to repay the team for their work is what Vettel claims is a bigger motivator for him than adding to his four world titles, at least for now.
“It’s a long way so I’m not really bothered about that,” Vettel said of the championship. “It was more the fact to stand up [on the podium] and see the team. I think obviously, it’s a small part that we have at the track but thinking of everyone else back in Maranello in the factory.
“I guess in these small moments you just realize that it’s a special group of people. If things go well, we’ll work hand in hand, we must make sure we keep the momentum up in the next couple of races – but I think we’re just having a great time.”