The Italian press has lashed out at Sebastian Vettel for his "amateur error" in the French Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver had a one point lead heading into the Paul Ricard race, but Vettel admitted he was to blame for a crash with Valtteri Bottas that means he left France with a 14-point deficit to Lewis Hamilton.
"Vettel committed an amateur error and this time the consequences are serious," wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Despite its excellent car, for Ferrari it is once again a wasted opportunity."
La Repubblica added: "Vettel makes mistakes that he cannot afford if he wants to win another world title."
And the copy at La Stampa reads: "It was a great catch up drive, but also ten wasted points because of too much impulsiveness."
Max Verstappen even poked fun at Vettel by suggesting the media should call for the German to "change his style" after what happened in France.
Vettel said: "I will not respond to that. I'm too old for that nonsense."
But former Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso agrees that Vettel might want to think again about how he goes about trying to win the 2018 title.
"In the first lap and playing for the world championship, he ran quite a risk. It worked out ok for him but in the future it will not go so well," he said.
A bit like 2017, but this time in slow motion. I don't blame the Italian Press for lashing out. Yes... they're prone to hyperbole, but it goes both ways. Celebrations and condemnations.
At least in France Mercedes had the best car, so the chances of winning were smaller than the previous 3 races wins he's thrown away. Vettel could have literally won every race except for Spain and Monaco. We'll see if he throws away this championship too like in 2017. Based upon the scathing response from the italian press, I'm not sure if they'll forgive him throwing this year away
Amateur meaning: a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, for fun and on an unpaid basis.... Vettel is hardly unpaid.. So, no he's not an amateur.
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Max Verstappen did NOT poke fun at Vettel. He poked fun at the journo's and said Vettel shouldn't change anything.