On 29 January, McLaren unveiled their first car with new engine supplier Honda, their first since 1992, and was heralded with the slogan “Make History”. This is a reference to the first spell as McLaren Honda, where in their 5 seasons together, they won eight drivers’ and constructors’ championships, and won 43 out of the 80 races they took part in. Many records where broken during that spell, and with the renewed partnership, many at McLaren and Honda are hoping that they can emulate the success of the past and create a new distinguished chapter.
Over 900 Miles away, in Maranello, F1’s oldest team were launching their own campaign for the season. It was all change at the team: change of chairman, change of team principal, change of technical director, and change of driver, in the form of Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari. Even though the talk is about McLaren trying to “Make History”. With their new set up, it is clear that Ferrari are trying to emulate their success of the naughties, where Ferrari and Michael Schumacher achieved many championship wins. We will take a quick look at the similarities to both circumstances, and see if Ferrari and Vettel in 2015 can find the success that Ferrari and Schumacher enjoyed in the beginning of the century.
Let’s have a quick history lesson. In the mid-90s, Ferrari was a team in turmoil. After a win-less 1993 season, Jean Todt was hired as team principal. Results gradually improved over the next couple of seasons, and by 1996, the had signed up Michael Schumacher, who had just become the youngest double champion in history at the time. Michael had come from Benetton, and had brought with him from there, technical director Ross Brawn, and chief designer Ross Byrne. Ferrari had splashed out for this “dream team” to rebuild the Scuderia, and rebuild they did.
After three seasons where they missed out on championship at the last race, Ferrari finally won the drivers’ championship in 2000, with Michael, along with the constructors’. They went on to win “the double”, drivers’ and constructors’ championships, for the following four years. It was statically the most successful period of a team and driver. The success started to slow down after 2004, and only once has a Ferrari driver claimed the drivers’ championship since, with Ferrari only winning the constructors’ championships two more times. Ferrari have struggled to compete with the top teams, and even though they came close to drivers’ championships in 2010 and 2012, losing them only on the last race, many have believed this to be down to the skills of Fernando Alonso rather than the car.
In 2014, Ferrari suffered their first win-less season since 1993. Ferrari were in turmoil again, and needed another reboot, like what occurred in the 90s. And reboot Ferrari have done. Luca di Montezemolo left as chairman and his successor was Sergio Marchionne, with Maurizio Arrivabene replaced Marco Mattiacci as team principal. Technical director James Allison joined in mid 2013, and this season will be his Ferrari designed car. The most improve signing is four-time champion Sebastian Vettel for Fernando Alonso, who jumped ship to McLaren. Vettel left Red Bull after a successful spell, and decided it was time to move on and to Ferrari to help the rebuild the Scuderia.
What inspires Sebastian? It is no secret that Michael was a big hero and inspiration for Vettel when growing up. He met him and was presented him a trophy in his karting days, and there an acquaintance began. The older Vettel got, and the further he got into his career, the more him and Michael met up and became friends. Like Michael, Vettel was given his chance at a mid-grid team halfway through a season, and hugely impressed on his debut. Like Michael, both signed a permanent contract in F1 shortly after their debut race, and both went on to enjoy great pre-Ferrari success. Vettel’s career has mirrored Michael’s, and it is no surprise that he felt a desire to head to Ferrari to emulate his hero and inspiration once again.
Can Vettel and Ferrari emulate the success of the naughties? Ferrari have definitely made some drastic changes throughout the team, like they did in the mid 90s, also the engine regulations change should favour them as it made for works team, even though last year showed that hasn’t the case. It seemed that Ferrari didn’t have the right mix of people, or the right attitude, and with all these changes, there is hope and belief that things are now on the rise. It was said by Arrivabene, after the first pre-season test at Jerez the other week that, “Ferrari have discovered their team spirit and motivation”. Time will tell if this will last, but signs are encouraging. Ferrari have also been open with the mistakes of the past, and that success won’t be imminent, so expectations are low, which means that not much will be expected at first and there should be no in-house fighting, but more focus and determination to succeed. With James Allison now designing the cars, there is quiet confidence that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated, and that the car will only improve.
That is Ferrari, what about Vettel? It seems extraordinary to say for a four-time champion, but many critics are still questioning his worth and legacy to the sport. In an era where many regard Alonso as the greatest, and Lewis Hamilton as the fastest, Vettel has struggled to gain the same reputation with pundits and fans alike. Why is that? It has been clear in the era that Adrian Newey had designed Red Bull to be the fastest and at times the most dominant car on the grid, and for many it seemed that all Vettel had to do was drive the car and he would just win. His race craft also gets questioned. In his first title running season, he was involved in high profile collisions involving Jenson Button and his own team-mate,when in wheel to wheel combat. Last year, he was many times out-qualified and out-raced by his new team-mate, and for many this added to the feeling that he just a good driver, and not a great one.
Is that fair? Simply, it not. To win one championship, you have to have a special talent. To win four, then you must be considered one of the greats. And what does it take to win a championship? Is it the fastest driver? No. Is it the driver with the greatest race craft? No. It not even just the driver that wins it. It a team sport. It down to the designers, engineers, mechanics, the pit crew as well. The driver is the pivotal role, he is the outlet of the operation. He is the result of all the work integrating together. He has shown in those years at Red Bull that he knows the ingredients needed to win, and win frequently. And let’s not forget about his talent. He shown that he has great pace over one lap, 45 pole positions out of 139 races. He also shows that when he comfortable with the car set up, that he manages the car and tyres as well as the greatest and drives for optimum performance. His race craft, that many question, isn’t too shabby. He showed in his title winning year of 2012 that he has got that ability too, with Abu Dhabi and Interlagos in mind. And don’t forget his maiden win in a midfield car in the wet at Monza. It takes a very special driver to win in the wet in an inferior machine. Also, at 27, he is still developing, still has his skills to hone, still much to learn. Time is on his and Ferrari’s side, and much belief is that his peak years are still to come, and that is a frightening prospect.
Will Vettel be considered a great if he doesn’t win another title? Yes, of course. Anyone who wins four titles will go down in history as one of the greats. That is not his aim though. Vettel’s inspiration is Michael Schumacher, who became the greatest, and with his move to Ferrari, and with all these changes, then he may achieve the ultimate and become the greatest and Make History.
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