Sebastian Vettel "understood" how to work the tyres before Mercedes

Toto Wolff believes that Sebastian Vettel's hard work ethic is the reasoning behind Ferrari's new found speed. There were recent theories suggesting that Pirelli and Ferrari were working in unison, causing Pirelli to lash back stating Ferrari has just been working harder at tyre better than Mercedes.

"Each driver has his own way to prepare," team chief Toto Wolff is quoted by Speed Week. "One wants to be perfect and is a meticulous worker, while the other relies more on his instinct. Sebastian was always a worker, so perhaps he understood earlier on how to get the tyre in the right working window. We have to catch up now."

The general consensus so far this season is that the softer the tyre compound, the more Ferrari has been able to get it to work over rivals Mercedes. Wolff admitted that the car does have a problem with the softer tyres: "Our car is difficult to set up," he said, "particularly when it comes to getting the tyres to work optimally. But we know what we are lacking."

It was also suggested to Wolff that Lewis Hamilton would become quickly demoralised as a result: "On the contrary. Lewis is not a problem but rather a positive influence, and I see him wanting it more than he did last year. Also for the team as a whole there will be no problem in this regard," he concluded.

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,566
  • Podiums 133
  • Grand Prix 234
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar