[Jody Barton]

Probably not Forza, not surprising though is it. Something happened behind the scenes there, and it clearly still rankles.

[morini]

I tried to post form my phone in work but it all went titsup.com.

I think it's actually pretty wrong of the Italian media to go so OTT on Vettel over what was (at the end of the day) a mistake under pressure. If they want him to win this year they should focus on the positives and have some thought for his self confidence. Don't underestimate the knock on effect Sunday could have on his mental strength (particuarly if there are any more mixed condition races to come).

Regarding the comments regarding how Sky perceive LH, I think you are all on papas infusions if you think they are "pro" Hamilton. Part of the problem is Bundle simply can't acknowledge Hammy's great performances without also having a dig in some way. I started off thinking it was him trying to come across as unbiased (overcompensating, if you will), but the more I listened to the guy the more I have come to the conclusion that he is actually begrudging and bitter of LH achievements and talents. He is always gushing about the competition when LH loses, but tempers his gushing about Lewis with criticism (always). I don't watch the pre-show any more because I can't abide any of the Sky presentation team (well, apart from Ant and maybe PDR) and I only suffer Brundle and Croft commentary because it is too much of a arse ache to listen to radio commentary while watching the nice UHD pictures. Though I have done that for some races! I have to use a portable DAB radio as I don't have any DAB tuner in same room as TV.

Anyway, back to Vettel. The Italian nation (press, media and public) should get behind the bloke if they want him to win it for the Red cars. I'll admit I was initially happy with Sundays events, but when I got home Sunday evening after a few swift liveners I was already feeling bad about taking the piss so much. Sometimes you have to try to view things from the opposition perspective. I actually felt quite sorry for him, he must be gutted and all credit to him that he took full responsibility. He's gone up a bit in my estimations since Sunday on that front.

I hope the rest of the season is close and eventful.

[forzaferrari]

What I think we have to remember is the press are doing their job (albeit badly/poorly wrongly IMO)...sadly it has become their job to sensationalise some events rather than just report the facts. I know some outlets gave Seb a bit of a hard time (admittedly not as bad) on the Monday following the Bottas incident in Paul Ricard but they then also hailed him as a hero following his win in Silverstone....I dont give much credit to what a lot of the press put out good or bad regardless should they be in the UK, Italy or anywhere else.

As for the Sky thing, as I said above I havent really noticed MB or any of the others (Sky) being anti LH infact I have often heard him praise LH, just like he would other drivers, the only person I have heard/read recently say anything against Lewis was DC when he commented about Lewis snubbing the post race interview at Silverstone.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

....I dont give much credit to what a lot of the press put out good or bad regardless should they be in the UK, Italy or anywhere else.

I think that is one area, where Seb is actually quite strong, and I admire him for, doesn't do social media, and I doubt he takes any press coverage, good or bad, seriously - a great attitude in the modern era, I remember him joking, when Kimi, finally signed on social media - though I believe his first post was - "I don't know what I'm doing" lol

Still, my point, contrary to what some have said, is I don't think media coverage affects Seb, the way it might others.

[Jody Barton]

Morini, just because we don't think Sky are anti-Hamilton, doesn't instantly mean we think they're pro-Hamilton. That my friend is a false dichotomy. I happen to think on the whole Sky are fairly even handed with Hamilton, but they often swing to extremes, either being overly effusive, or far to critical. I happen to disagree with you on Brundle, I think he really rates Lewis, and has repeatedly said so, I think he said this weekend that no one else on the grid could've driven the race like Lewis did. I think he has exceedingly high expectations of Lewis, moreso than other drivers, and so when Lewis has a slight off day he can come across as overly harsh.

Any way, back on to Vettel and the Italian press. I do not think Seb will let it bother him one way or the other. Seb is a highly self-reflection person, no one is as harsh a critic of Seb, than Seb himself. It is actually a weakness, because sometimes he beats himself up too much and take too much time to get over these mistakes. So it's not so much whether it affect Seb for me or not. I don't think it will.

However, I can tell you who does listen to the Italian media, and that's Ferrari's top brass. The Italian media was highly critical of Ferrari last year, saying that Sebs mistake in Singapore was because of the pressure put on him because of the teams errors... forget that up to that point they hadn't made many, they shielded Seb. They've not criticised him this season so far either, but after this weekend it has been vicious. I kinda agree with you all, it's way over the top and reactionary, but it reads like this has been simmering away under the surface for some time now and it's finally exploded.

[Gordo Sixtytwo]

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/2085/...german-gp/

I've been told by my Italian friend that these are the nicer comments. Apparently a Motorsport show on national radio had a debate with some former drivers where they asked who was better Seb or Lewis and everyone said Lewis (including former Ferrari driver Fisichella). The host also said if Hamilton had been in the Ferrari last season he'd have won easily, and if he was in the Ferrari this season the title fight would almost be over. Ouch.

The Italian media on the whole have stuck by Seb, they've defended him and stuck by him, even after Singapore last year, and Baku. It seems though the Italian media and many Ferrari fans are losing patience with him. To hear and read the Italian press openly say Hamilton is the much better driver, and they'd prefer him to be at the Scuderia is a big deal. His reception in Monza will be interesting.

Vettel is overrated and overpaid. I too am fed up with his constant mistakes and his propensity to make critical mistakes at crucial moments. He will not win the title for Ferrari. He can't handle the pressure. The 2019 Ferrari is a title winning car. It is being wasted on Vettel. Lewis is a Mercedes driver. Ferrari should forget about Lewis. Ferrari don't need him. Ferrari does need Ricciardo or if he is not available I would even take Alonso back. Either guy can win the WDC. Vettel can score enough points to help lock up the WCC and the WCC prize money, worth $50 Million? More than enough to pay for DR or FA.

[NeilP]

Not being a Vettel fan I really do think I have to come to his defence here at least a little. You dont get to become a four time world champion without being an exceptional driver unless of course your car is that totally dominant machine and in all honesty Red Bull was not that, certainly not for the four years he won.

Driving for the most prestigious team in F1 obviously carries some extra pressure of that surely nobody can be in any doubt. It is not just Vettel who is desperate to win its the whole team. That desperation makes for mistakes to be made, lets be honest here Ferrari have made mistakes all across the board this year such is their desire to win. Who knows why he crashed, driver error for sure but cut the guy some slack he is right it was a small error with big consequences.

Now I dont want to be portrayed as someone who is looking at Vettel with tunnel vision he does make mistakes, he is hot headed at times and I have stated that many times in the past but he is also a great all round driver. I am too biased in favour of Hamilton but I do truly feel Hamilton is the better driver and if was in the Ferrari last year and this he would have been the favourite to win the WDC.

What Vettel is paid means absolutely nothing. Clearly Ferrari were happy to pay. Personally I still think Ferrari are slight favourites or I should say Vettel is the slight favourite to be the WDC this year but it is very very close and he cannot afford too many more mistakes. I still think Mercedes will win the constructors.

As for Danny Ricciardo put him in either a Mercedes or Ferrari and he is a potential WDC. I cannot help but wonder even if at this late stage they are considering him especially with change of management but I guess it is highly unlikely.

[Jody Barton]

NeilP I agree with you over Vettel 100%. Morini often says he's great in a car that's glued to the road... but then again who isn't? But it's a point well made. Seb is a driver that throughout his career has never liked wrestling with a car. Even in junior formula if the set up wasn't right, or the car didn't suit the track then he was often nowhere. When you think of the true greats in this sport they've all been able to wrestle absolute pigs of cars to the top step.

He is also prone to a rush of blood to the head. No question he gets angry at times and overly aggressive inside the car. He's mellowed as he has gotten older, but he's still prone to the odd outburst on track, and overly aggressive / illegal defending. Seb does do double moves, we've all seen it, and most drivers now expect it.

Another frailty is his risk assessment capabilities, this also goes along with the rush of blood to his head 'thing'. Often Sebs judgement seems impaired or compromised. He often tried getting things 'done' far too early, and comes off as impatient. In France he should have got out of that situation way sooner. It was obvious how it was going to turn out. In Germany, in slippy conditions he was taking an overly aggressive line, almost a qualifying line, when he should have been driving to percentages, feeling his way around the track. Perhaps Lewis' speed at the time was spooking him, he had just taken 3 seconds or so out of him on the first lap with rain / drizzle. Either way it those situations you need to focus on what you are doing. Again these silly slides off of the track have been a feature throughout his career. I think it was Frédéric Vasseur Who said when he was driving for ASM in F3 that Seb was prone to lapses in concentration.

Having said all of that he is still stupidly quick over one lap. Quick enough to be compared to the great one lap specialists like Senna, Schumacher, Stirling Moss, Ascari, Clark and yes, Hamilton? Absolutely. His record is impressive, as is his undeniable speed when as Morini points out he has the car under him. He's also a damn fine finisher when out front. If he manages to get his nose in front, he has an impressive conversion ratio. In clean air, with the car there are few better. I do think Seb is a good driver, he's a 4 time WDC and he is able to drive at a very high standard. In almost any other era he'd have been considered a great.

His misfortune is to be driving in an era where there have been the likes of Alonso, Button, Rosberg and Hamilton, all of whom have shown at one time or another, and often consistently that they are a match for him. I will always rate Alonso and Hamilton above him, no matter what happens in the rest of their careers. He's also finishing his career with the likes of Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Ocon and Gasly finding their way into the sport. Ferrari have the best PU and car this year, that will probably continue into 2019 and you'd expect 2020 as most teams will shift to whatever the 2021 regulations will be. Vettel has to convert this opportunity into multiple WDCs or he might go down as a Rosberg or a Button, a very good driver who got lucky with his car / team mate combo.

[morini]

On phone in work, so can't really reply properly apart from to say - very good post. Agree completely.

[NeilP]

Great post, I may have some issue with your last sentence. One could be considered lucky circumstances but not four, but hey that is what discussion is all about right!