The PS stress test continues. The Vettel dilemma, too? Ferrari has been under heavy pressure for weeks. But recently also Mercedes. Tire problems are worrying. And a young Dutchman in top form.
Barcelona (dpa) - After the short break on his former estate, not only Sebastian Vettel should just look at the weather forecast for Catalonia and sweat.
Ferrari initially left it open whether the four-time world champion at the Spanish Grand Prix might be able to attempt the U-turn from the cul-de-sac with a new chassis. What is certain is what Vettel & Co will expect at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: High temperatures and a track that demands a lot from the tires anyway.
"I assume that we will have the same problems on the course," fears six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton: "It will be a serious challenge for us." The Silver Arrows are concerned about their supremacy, luxury concerns for Vettel, who has been demoted to midfield rider with his Ferrari. 10 points from five races, 10 points out of a possible 130. An oath of revelation on his farewell tour from Ferrari. Team-mate Charles Leclerc still has 45 points.
"I try everything I can. I get up in the morning and try to see the positive," says Vettel. He is certain that the tide will turn at some point. The only question is when and where? A new chassis could be the redeeming measure against the crisis, but that will not make him the challenger of Hamilton as in previous years. Max Verstappen took on the role.
The Dutchman is 30 points behind the British leader. A blown tire and a premature end could in the heat of Catalonia, however, steam down Hamilton's cushion. In 2016, Verstappen already triumphed on the track and was named the youngest Grand Prix winner when Mercedes was struggling with major malaises. However, in the form of a proper stall zoff. Hamilton and his then German stable rival Nico Rosberg had driven each other into the cars in the first lap and retired. In the following years, Hamilton made the winning hat trick in Spain perfect. A year ago, Verstappen came in third.
"We have to see how many races there actually are," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner in an interview with "auto-motor-und-sport.de" with a view to the world championship. "We are currently driving until December. That gives us time to gain as much performance as possible." The Mercedes is still considered to be the fastest car with the most powerful engine.
But that is of no use if the Silver Arrow handles the sensitive rubbers the way it did last at the two races in Silverstone. First Hamilton and Bottas each burst a tire, at the second Grand Prix within a week, bubbles formed and both braked properly. Team boss Toto Wolff emphasized that there was only a "handful of days" left to find out the reasons. "In the past, however, our bad days were usually followed by our greatest learning advances," said Race Director Andrew Shovlin.
Vettel would be happy when that would also apply to Ferrari. After his undisguised criticism of the team via radio, even more setbacks could turn the already severely impaired internal relationship between the 33-year-old Heppenheimer and the Scuderia, who was once spoiled for success, into an extremely frosty affair even in hot Spain.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200812-99-140094 / 2
News on Formula 1 homepage
Schedule on Homape Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Verstappen profile on team homepage
News on Max Verstappen homepage
Formula 1 driver field
Racing calendar
Team Mercedes
Team Ferrari