Ex-Ferrari engineer claims Sebastian Vettel ‘suffered’ Lewis Hamilton’s pressure as he crashed from the lead in Germany 2018

Sebastian Vettel crashed out while leading his home race in 2018.

Ex-Ferrari engineer claims Sebastian Vettel ‘suffered’ Lewis Hamilton’s pressure as he crashed from the lead in Germany 2018

Lewis Hamilton [L] Sebastian Vettel's 2018 German GP crash [R] (images via IMAGO)

Sebastian Vettel and Scuderia Ferrari had high ambitions for the 2018 F1 season. After a failed bid for the F1 title the previous year, Maranello was confident of its prospects against Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. The four-time world champion seemed to have the upper hand during the first half of the season. However, the German GP ended up being a disaster for the local hero. Now, former Ferrari engineer Modesto Menabue has claimed that Vettel cracked under pressure.

The four-time world champion had qualified on pole for his home after an incredible lap on Saturday. The German driver had a great start to the race and was comfortably in the lead. However, the overcast conditions became a challenge for drivers on track. Subsequently, Vettel lost grip and collided with the barriers in a disappointing result. Sebastian Vettel’s frustration was evident in the radio message after the incident.

Menabue reckoned that the German driver had the pace advantage during the race. However, the four-time world champion might’ve lost his concentration in the cockpit. The former Ferrari engineer claimed that Sebastian Vettel was instructed by the team to not push the car. Unfortunately, Vettel did not back off and ultimately crashed into the wall.

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The car was superior, but I think the its concentration has diminished... the engineer had told him by radio not to push, but in the end he pushed the same and went out.
Modesto Menabue told speedweek.com

The Italian engineer was convinced that Vettel had failed to keep up with the pressure of Lewis Hamilton. Something which Max Verstappen did successfully during the 2021 title decider.

Another world championship thrown to the wind. I think that suffered Hamilton's pressure, unlike Verstappen, as the latter demonstrated in 2021.

Sebastian Vettel lost Ferrari’s favor after Charles Leclerc arrived in 2019

For the 2019 F1 season, massive changes were made at Maranello. Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene was ousted from the Prancing Horse and Mattia Binotto was handed the role. Moreover, Charles Leclerc was signed by the Scuderia after his impressive rookie season at Alfa Romeo Sauber.

Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc
Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc (Via Motorsport.com)

Sebastian Vettel struggled throughout the season and made multiple mistakes while Leclerc delivered some incredible results. Ultimately, tensions began to rise between Vettel and the Scuderia. Menabue admitted that the German driver lacked the support he needed from Ferrari to bounce back.

I think the team work didn't work well how it would have been necessary to help Sebastian.

Vettel was let go by Maranello after his contract expired at the end of 2020. The four-time world champion had dreamt of winning a title with the Scuderia. However, things did not work out as he was defeated by Lewis Hamilton. As such, the German driver moved to Aston Martin for two seasons before retiring from the pinnacle of motorsport.

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