Bernie Ecclestone advises Ferrari to change

F1 Update: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has urged Ferrari to change their mindset to allow Sebastian Vettel to challenge for the title. 

Vettel had high hopes of pushing Mercedes all the way during the 2016 season but could only finish fourth in the Drivers’ Championships with 212 points to his name, while he failed to win a single Grand Prix.

The four-time F1 champion won three times during his first campaign with the Italians but there is a sense that he and the team have gone backwards in recent times and Ecclestone is convinced he has the answer.

“Ferrari has fallen back again into the era before [Michael] Schumacher and [Jean] Todt,” he told German publication Bild. “Too many Italians are working for the team at the moment.

I have nothing against Italy, but to have a firm rule within a team doesn’t run in Italian DNA.” And the 86-year-old believes there needs to be sweeping changes at the team in order to allow Vettel to show his true colours.

“Ferrari needs fresh blood,” he added. “I’m sure Sebastian does all he can do to be successful. The question is how much are they willing to let him do. “It’s not his fault that he doesn’t win. It’s down to the car and the team. Sebastian’s mission is Ferrari. The way I know him he wants to fulfil this mission first.”

Category: Formula One