Formula 1 : Monumental Parallels: Sebastian Vettel wants the title with Ferrari

What could not happen, happened on lap 52. And as it happened, I cried to the sky. 22. July, Hockenheim Ring, Fixed Curve. Some of the 70 000 Fans, the majority wore uniform deep Red, cried with the sky, stunned that a superior car from the wet roadway, slid into a ugly yellow Advertising banner. The occupant of the accident vehicle was just as stunned. He drummed with his fists clenched on the steering Wheel; then Sebastian Vettel emerged from the car to his company, a full red Ferrari, and stood with his head bowed the way into the pit lane. It is the first steps that marked the beginning of the end.

In retrospect, the race in Hockenheim, the then-outsider Lewis Hamilton miraculously won was considered the turning point in the battle for the formula 1 world championship 2018 – the Mercedes won the drivers then also. Since that day, and the mishap of the world Cup, was named overall leader, never again to Sebastian Vettel. It was, however, not only due to the damp in-kind curve that Vettel peu à peu slipping away from the world Cup. Disagreements between the team managers, the lack of stable order and technology problems, also played a role, you know, even at Ferrari. In the new season, which begins next Sunday in Melbourne, will be very different, but most of all: successful. The first world championship title since 2007. Nothing else is expected of Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari leave nothing to chance

Ferrari has rebuilt the company's own ranks and even the car a new hue missed. Matt red instead of red. Maybe you have considered in Maranello, it was also the aggressive atmosphere that the necessary Coolness was missing. In addition to the color Ferrari has also replaced the team leader. Mattia Binotto, previously chief technology officer, has been replaced by Maurizio Arrivabene to the beginning of the year. Binotto knows the Scuderia from the inside out, the titles of the 49-Year-old helped as a engineer to Michael Schumacher.

Already before the first race as the main responsible for sound Binotto, the hymns of praise is the only way. In the recent tests in Barcelona, observers have identified a fresh mood and a lot of positive mood at Ferrari. "It is a very quiet atmosphere. Of course you can change that, but currently the atmosphere is good,“ says formula 1 sports boss Ross Brawn. A "very calm and logical guy to be" Binotto trusts, the Brawn a lot. Norbert Haug, Mercedes' former Motorsport chief, reserves some skepticism: "do A better Job than Arrivabene Binotto then, if Ferrari 2019 creates better results than 2018," says Haug.

The better the results should provide in addition to Vettel, a new driver. Instead of Kimi Räikkönens, moved to Alfa Romeo, sits Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari. The 21-year-old sovereign of Monaco came from the Clean team, is regarded as a promising Talent and should be Vettel's precious helpers. At least Binotto has indicated, in this year, previously, with Raikkonen almost non existent team orders to favour Vettel's resurgence. However, the first time Vettel has to prove that he moves faster than Leclerc.

Sebastian Vettel has been made for the next Sunday in Melbourne at the beginning of the end of the season much.Photo: Imago

How good is the Ferrari running, was last seen in Barcelona, where Vettel served up some impressive best times. The new aerodynamic rules that have a significant influence on the overall package, appear to be the Italians so far, better than Mercedes. However, Hamilton followed in the previous year, for the Tests to stand at the end but again at the very top. Haug says: "Not for long, and we will know more, anyone who has had the Test actually had the better end for themselves." You mean: Only in Melbourne will reveal whether Ferrari has actually developed a faster car.

The hope is still big in Italy, where the emotions were more negative than elsewhere, and the media tend to conjure up magical moments and stories. "Ferrari in Italy is a Religion, without the disrespectful," says Haug. Especially since, believers have found in the Holy Motorsport country is already a great liking to a story, you want to know eagerly met. Two Numbers play a role in it, two German and one Italian.

The Italians in this piece is Enzo Ferrari, he created the myth of Ferrari 90 years ago, the formula 1 model in 2019, bears the name of SF90. The second number, five, the German scene. Because, as Michael Schumacher once brought in his fifth year at Ferrari the first world title to Maranello, Sebastian Vettel is to meet in its fifth year, the traditionally high expectations – in a car with the start number five.

The Ferrari Fans are already dreaming

The Fans are already dreaming. "I think, no man and not even thousands of Tifosi can make Sebastian more pressure than he does himself. And that is in all the best providers so nobody from the outside can expect more from you than you do yourself,“ says Haug. For Vettel is the first world championship Triumph with Ferrari would certainly be "the Ultimate", as he himself announced. Which is why the man Vettel calls the driver Vettel is probably the most, some say: overwhelmed.

to change The evaluation Haugs similar Frequently over the ambitious Vettel to hear; that he had an extremely strong will, hard work, willing things. That he, as once Schumacher, not just an employee driver, but Inside the Teams, acting as a Motivator, as a Communicator, as an impeller. "Sebastian sees growth potential in himself and in his Team, as Lewis Hamilton also. And this would not be the case, both would be the best in their field,“ says Haug. With the very best, the seven-time world champion Schumacher, Haug worked in his last years of Career at Mercedes. The comparison of Vettel, Schumacher is not allowed at all?

From ancient times. Michael Schumacher won between 2000 and 2004, and the title.Photo: Gero Breloer/dpa

"Outside of the car for him in my estimation, none of the water-rich. None of them went deeper into the Details, and value-appreciated more, demanded more, without overwhelming you. And this measure of handling, respect, and teamwork as the Basis for the success is still have a very, very long,“ says Haug on Schumacher. But he also says: "It is pointless to compare Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. Both have always appreciated, Michael has supported Sebastian, give him tips.“ Vettel knew but himself, what he needed to do as a four-time title winner.

so Far, Vettel seemed not to know exactly what to do. To often alternated brilliant moments of the race and unnecessary errors, followed by sweet victories and agonizing defeats. The Cleverness that is the exception-rounder, such as Hamilton needed was missing. "Michael took Ferrari on his shoulders and the Team out of the crisis. He was a Leader,“ said the former formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone the other day. "Vettel is not so."

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formula 1 Hamilton, Schumacher chases, Vettel has internal print

There are also sentences like this, the Ferrari starts with the number 5. In the fifth attempt, the 31-Year-old wants to prove, therefore, that it will not wear it in this season so easily from the curve as it was in Hockenheim. The Hunger for the title is great.