Ferrari go into this weekend’s German GP leading F1’s title races, the first time they have held points advantages in both world championships at this stage of the season since 2004.So is there growing belief both inside and outside the team that, a decade on from their last title success, 2018 could finally be their year? F1 commentator Carlo Vanzini gives the Italian perspective on Ferrari – explaining why they are now better equipped to deal with the pressure of a title run-in, whether their engine is now the best on the grid, and if Sebastian Vettel will have a new team-mate next season.
How is Italy viewing Ferrari’s championship challenge?
Carlo Vanzini: “The mood is different from last year. Last year there was the idea that Sebastian could fight for the championship, but at this moment of the season Mercedes were in front in the Constructors’ Championship by 55 points. Now they are behind Ferrari by 20 points.
“The feeling in Italy is Ferrari have a very good car and a very good team. Of course, the Italian fans know that Mercedes is quite strong, but there is really the mood that it could be the right year to come back to win the championship. At least one of the two – the double would obviously be the best situation.People are talking more about Formula 1. Not only about Ferrari, but for what we are seeing on track with some amazing races. This is good for everybody. What I see is that the Tifosi still have to fall in love more with Sebastian. They are waiting for him to win the championship.It’s something that is quite natural; before being big fans, the Italians need to see that he wins – and that he wins a lot. It was the same situation with Michael Schumacher.”
What’s different from last year when their challenge crumbled?
CV: “Ferrari has done a big job to give stability to the team. With Maurizio Arrivabene, Mattia Binotto and a team that sometimes make changes in key positions.
“Maybe names that are not so famous, but who we know and that are important for the team. They don’t do this with an earthquake, but by saying ‘okay, now we have to have this person in that role’ and what they do is to take someone from within Ferrari to bring them into a different role. This is the way to make people proud to be there and to push in their work. Even if, as sometimes happen, you have people that stay in their positions and maybe don’t take risks to think about a different solution.
“This is to way to make sure that every weekend that there is something new on the car or a new idea to improve.Last year Ferrari lost the championship after the summer break, the Asian races were terrible, but when you are at the limit there’s a greater risk to have problems like they had. Now they are stronger mentally so they know that they can really fight. They also think that they can cope with a grand prix with a problem, with no points. At the moment the team is growing and knows it will be able to fight to the end. And what we’re seeing is that Mercedes is a little bit more nervous. They were calmer last year. Now we see that they have understood that Ferrari is really strong and the fight is fiercer this year.”
Does Haas and Sauber’s improved form suggest Ferrari now has the best engine?
CV: “At the moment I think they do, but we don’t know if it’s only an engine discussion or whether it’s the quality of the other cars too.
“Haas with the Dallara chassis and Sauber, who at the start of the season everybody thought would be on the last row as at testing it looked a really bad car. But what they did with Ferrari was to improve traction coming out of corners. This is an advantage for those who don’t have a very good car, because they can use more of the engine and less of the aerodynamics.
“Ferrari have a lot of power. The step they did on the engine is quite strong, but if you look at Mercedes they are always faster in the second sector here at Hockenheim which is all engine.
“But, for sure, Ferrari has done an incredible step. If you think where they were in 2014 with the first version of the hybrid turbo power unit, it’s incredible really. But in the case of Haas or Sauber, there’s also good work from the teams around the chassis. If you look at Force India, they are not as strong as last year. Maybe some of that is for the power unit, but maybe it’s also for the wider project.”