Sebastian Vettel and the Ferrari dilemma

After winning a title, many world champions join Ferrari, but not all of them manage to succeed; the unique nature of the Scuderia can be difficult to grasp, as Sebastian Vettel has demonstrated.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel arrived at Ferrari in 2015 with the aura of a savior after a turbulent period at Red Bull. His first season in red earned him three victories and a respectable number of points, a performance that exceeded the modest expectations of a team still reeling from its split with Fernando Alonso. After five years together, the Spaniard left empty-handed, bitter towards a team that, in his opinion, had failed to deliver him that coveted third title. Despite his efforts, a combination of politics, organizational upheaval, and technical trial and error undermined what had seemed to be a promising partnership.

Vettel's disappointment echoes the saga of another champion, Alain Prost. The three-time McLaren winner ventured to Ferrari in 1990, two years after Enzo Ferrari's death, with the aim of reviving the brand. Prost immediately delivered on his promises, winning the championship with five victories, the title sealed at Suzuka when Ayrton Senna's deliberate collision on the first lap allowed Prost to take the lead. But the following year turned sour: after calling his car a “tractor,” Prost was fired, recalling the tense relationship between Ferrari and Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956. The three-time Argentine champion had joined the Italian team without enthusiasm, and his relationship with Enzo Ferrari quickly deteriorated, amid accusations of sabotage and favoritism, leading to a bitter split despite a fourth title that season.

The Scuderia's history also includes some spectacular highlights. Michael Schumacher's five titles between 2000 and 2006 cemented Ferrari's dominance, while Niki Lauda's tenure, although marked by ups and downs, added further laurels. These German-speaking legends set a benchmark for Vettel; to avoid becoming another disappointing footnote, he will need to draw inspiration from their legacy in his quest for success at Maranello.