Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, Interlagos, 2019

Vettel: I don’t care what people say about Ferrari’s engine

2019 F1 season

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Sebastian Vettel dismissed claims from rivals that Ferrari’s poor performance at the last race was linked to a recently-issued FIA technical directive on power units.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were among those who suggested Ferrari’s performance in Austin, where the top speed advantage was clearly smaller than it had been at previous races, was a result of the directive. But Vettel insisted the change in their performance was due to the set-up direction they had taken.

“We didn’t lose any power on the engine,” the Ferrari driver insisted. “I think we opted to run probably a bit more downforce than other people.

“In quali the comparison was quite clear. We gained a little bit on the straight, not as much as usual, but we didn’t lose as much as usual in the corners. Obviously, one always goes sort of hand-in-hand.

“So I think in the race – obviously I wasn’t taking part much of the race – but for Charles [Leclerc] we didn’t have the pace that we normally have. But I know it’s not for that reason.

“Obviously there’s other things that made a difference and played a role, which we were looking to understand. We had some races where we were not competitive at all this year so it’s not the only one. So for sure it will matter to understand exactly what happened, to make sure it doesn’t happen again, and we tackle those areas for next year.”

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Verstappen said the FIA directive “explains everything” about Ferrari’s performance, a claim Vettel rejected.

“I think the big difference to the past is that a lot of people are being heard, whereas maybe before they were being ignored,” said Vettel.

“Everybody’s free to say what they want. If that is what he thinks, that’s what he might think. But obviously we have a different opinion.”

Ferrari deserve credit for out-developing Mercedes, Vettel added, while acknowledging their approach to chassis design has also contributed to their straight-line speed advantage.

“On top of the fact that we have a [high] performing engine we also have a car that is very efficient. In comparison to Mercedes and Red Bull, they have more downforce than us, but maybe they’ve created in a bit of a dirtier way. So you can always argue what is the better package.

“But I think it’s a good sign. Should we have the strongest engine – I don’t know the other manufacturers power figures – that’s a great achievement by us, by our engine department. For the last five years, we had Mercedes having the strongest engine so if it’s now for a couple of months that we are ahead and hopefully it stays like that for the next five years and I don’t care what people think or say.”

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2019 F1 season

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4 comments on “Vettel: I don’t care what people say about Ferrari’s engine”

  1. We will know for sure on race day. Although not a power track, Brazil has that pit straight uphill that starts at a very low speed.

    Ferrari engine should make a difference there. If not ..

  2. He also doesn’t care what people say about his driving. He doesn’t listen to criticism and blames the car

  3. In case he hasn’t said it enough

    I will one more time

    Obviously…

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