Ferrari favour Sebastian Vettel over Lewis Hamilton
Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Ferrari say they would choose Sebastian Vettel over Lewis Hamilton if they needed to appoint a new lead driver.
The company's president, Luca Di Montezemolo, said he believed Ferrari's current driver Fernando Alonso was the best in Formula 1.
But the Italian added that Vettel, 25, "would be very good for us".
"Between all the drivers, Vettel and Hamilton could be perfect for Ferrari in the future, with one difference - Vettel is younger," he said.
"First of all, of all the drivers, we have the best - in terms of speed, intelligence in the race, and a capability to work with the team.
"When you have the best driver you have to put him in the best condition to succeed, to win and have a good environment without peer troubles.
"But if Alonso decided to go to live in Hawaii with the girlfriend, I have no doubt that for human and professional reasons [I would choose] Vettel. He would be very good for us.
"I like Vettel, because he is not presumptuous. He wants to win but he is not arrogant. Michael [Schumacher] told me many years ago that coming from karts, Vettel had the most potential of any young driver and he was right."
After finishing fourth in the 2012 drivers' standings in 2012 - 91 points behind Germany's Vettel - McLaren's former world champion Hamilton, 27, will instead line up for Mercedes next season.
Di Montezemolo, 65, said 31-year-old Spaniard Alonso, who narrowly lost out to Red Bull's Vettel in this year's championship despite having an inferior car, was a powerful mix of the good qualities of two great Ferrari champions - Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher.
"Niki was very intelligent in the race and the first driver to be closer to the team, details, working even in the night," he said.
"Michael was, for me, a war machine in the race because he was in condition to do 60 laps like qualifying.
"Fernando is a good mix between the two. He is very intelligent. He knows when to push, how to save the tyres, when to attack, super intelligent and super quick, too.
"It is difficult to make comparisons [across different eras] but he is right at the top. But I'm very happy with Fernando. He is a key member of the team."
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Besides, who says ferrari are worthy of having Hamilton or Vettel as drivers.
Not the team or car they used to be. If they didn't have alonso, the true ability of the team would be shown in third or fourth place.
Arrogant PR exercise Mr Montezemolo
http://cdn-2.motorsport.com/static/img/mgl/1400000/1430000/1432000/1432700/1432792/s1_1.jpg
What. Are. You. Talking. About.
Why is Hamilton more of a 'prima donna' than any other driver? When has he been anything but gratious and accepting after all his retirements this year? And what makes you think he feels he isnt as good as others? You are absurd sir.
Ferrari would take a younger driver for the future - what a surprise!
We still have seats open for next season, or is that not considered worthy of editorial comment because they're not at front-running teams?
Ferrari think Vettel is a better drive than Hamilton.
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They didn't actually say that, though, did they? They said both could drive for Ferrari, but Vettel is younger so he is their preference.
At no point did they suggest one was better than the other - only that Alonso is better than both of them.
"if Alonso decided to go to live in Hawaii with the girlfriend, I have no doubt that for human and professional reasons [I would choose] Vettel. He would be very good for us.
Seems pretty unequivocal to me.
At the start of the season the McLaren was the quickest car. Briefly the Merc seemed quicker. Then the Lotus looked quickest and even the Ferrari looked to have an edge at one point. In the end Red Bull triumphed.
Are you emotionally challenged or just plain stupid?
When I read your comment, I couldn't help but conclude it's your own predudices that you are transferring to others. If someone dislikes a presenter or a driver it's quite a jump to state this is because of their gender or colour!
I don't care for EJ - is this because he is Irish? No, it's because he talks nonsense most of the time and wears dreadful shirts. No doubt others love him.
Vettel has won 2 more world titles than Hamilton and can actually fight back from difficult positions in races. Hamilton has only won one world championship but because he's british you have to get offended.