Why Sebastian Vettel was already ‘on his way down’ at Ferrari in F1 2020

Sebastian Vettel has admitted he was already ‘on his way down’ in his last couple of seasons at Ferrari in Formula 1.

Vettel joined the Maranello-based outfit in 2015 after a six-year stint that yielded four world titles at Red Bull, and swiftly established himself as the Scuderia’s lead driver.

In four years, Vettel took 13 grand prix wins to team-mate Kimi Raikkonen’s sole victory; the German contended for the title in 2017 – when he led the championship from April to September – and 2018, losing to Lewis Hamilton both times.

But when Raikkonen was replaced by Charles Leclerc for 2019, Ferrari’s wunderkind quickly got the upper hand, outscoring Vettel straight away with 264 points to 240 and two victories to one – a mechanical failure cost the Monegasque a third success in Bahrain. Then, in a tough 2020 season for Ferrari, Vettel was considerably outperformed by Leclerc – 33 points to 98 – after the Scuderia signed Carlos Sainz for 2021 before the 2020 campaign actually began.

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF1000, leads Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF1000

“I came to Formula 1 in 2006, ‘07 and I would say already by 2010 – obviously I won the championship – I was sort of at my peak,” Vettel recounted on the Beyond The Grid podcast. “But then in 2011, I was much more ready to win the championship than I was in 2010 for example, and then probably strong years obviously winning the championship.

“2015 was a very strong year, ’17, ’18 – and then ‘19 and in fairness ‘20, I was on my way down already. And I'm happy to say that now because I didn't have that, really, last ultimate push anymore.”

The German explained that motivation was a key differentiator between him and Leclerc, who is 10 years younger.

“Charles had so much energy,” he pointed out. “In fairness I was spoiled – I mean, I won four championships, I won so many races, I had so many poles, whatever. All I was interested in was winning, and that's the sort of athlete I was: I wanted to win, I wanted the biggest trophy, I wanted that moment on the podium where I knew I won the race, I wanted the Monday morning feeling of ‘I won the last race and feel so good’, but the feeling doesn't last long enough so you’ve got to win another one.

“And Charles came in, and when we finished fifth and sixth he was over the moon with a fifth and sixth, because [it was a] different stage of his career and the first time in a competitive car. I think that's when I started to struggle a bit.

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, and Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, congratulate each other on locking out the front row

“Then 2020 comes along, really awkward year with COVID, we're not racing, I get this fantastic break that I never had and enjoyed it so much with the family. At the same time [I was] becoming aware with the kids growing of problems in the world and how they started to affect me and I'm reflecting them,” the LGBTQ+ rights and climate activist added. “I would say at that time I was probably not on the peak anymore.”

Yet, Vettel still took up a new challenge: the Lawrence Stroll-funded Aston Martin team, which was a continuation of the Force India/Racing Point outfit with much greater financial means.

“I think I was ultimately looking for this reassurance that… 'Can I still do this?' – which sounds silly because of course I can do it, I've proven it so many times, but that's also blending in with this uncertainty or insecurity that we all have, all the drivers have it on the grid today,” Vettel detailed.

“I was speaking to Michael [Schumacher] about this many years ago and even he had it. And for me, when I say ‘even he’, it's because he is the greatest. You know, I grew up [with] posters of him on the wall. He was the best in everything I could imagine with racing. And he was insecure. ‘What? You?’

Winners Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher

“So we all have that, and I think those years from a result point of view, of course I would have loved to see you know the team growing faster, but they were important for me because I started to feel really comfortable again with my driving and I think I did have peak performances even at a later stage – but overall peak, probably not anymore.”

Vettel was Aston Martin’s lead driver over his two seasons at the team before he retired and was replaced by Fernando Alonso. The 2021 campaign yielded his last F1 podium in Baku, with another one eluding him in Hungary as he was disqualified from second over an insufficient fuel sample.

What’s “scary” about Max Verstappen’s F1 ability, according to Sebastian Vettel

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.