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Ferrari finds its’ 2016 campaign at a crossroads, having failed to register a victory in the opening quarter of the season, in spite of considerable expectations following winter testing.
Sebastian Vettel lies 52 points adrift of Nico Rosberg, while teammate Kimi Raikkonen enjoys an unanticipated 13-point advantage over the German to sit second in the standings.
The 28-year old’s frustrations have manifested at recent events, vociferous on the communication front at the Chinese, Russian and Spanish Grands Prix, the four-time champion didn’t envisage fighting for podiums in place of victories as the course.
In tandem with circumstances out of his control, the red flag while leading at Australia, a blown engine on the formation lap at Bahrain, friendly fire with the Finn on the opening lap at China, the now folklore double collision induced retirement with Daniil Kvyat at Russia, and a strategy which consigned him to third at Spain, viewers have been privy to a Vettel given to impetuousness not witnessed since his formative days on the grid.
Vettel’s previous team, Red Bull – with whom he ruled the grid so mercilessly – appears on the verge of returning to a semblance of its’ former glory. Max Verstappen’s victory at Spain, coupled with the promise of the vaunted Renault power unit upgrade from next month’s Canadian Grand Prix, has restored the latent swagger so eminent during the energy drinks earlier reign, thus it isn’t inconceivable that abolition of such ‘unique’ outcomes will ensure his return to the top step of the podium.
Under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task when he departed the sanctuary of the Milton Keynes stable to join the famous Italian marque at the conclusion of 2014, three victories in his first campaign piqued sentiment that a resurgence was imminent, that another successful German-Italian collaboration beckoned.
This trajectory hasn’t quite been consigned to ashes, though pressure from Ferrari chairman and newly installed chief executive officer, Sergio Marchionne, an individual adamantine of his pursuits and inherently restless by reputation, means that Vettel isn’t afforded the luxury of an undefined window to deliver, in contrast to his compatriot almost two decades earlier.
It isn’t inconceivable that Raikkonen will find himself thrust into the lead role for the balance of the season, should he continue his habit of picking up solid podiums while Vettel meets all shades of misfortune.
That Verstappen was tethered to Red Bull on a long-term deal upon his promotion to the senior outfit has potentially altered Ferrari’s teammate dynamic, there’s now a distinct prospect that the Finn will be retained for 2017. Should this come to pass, the team may be inclined to throw its’ weight behind the 2007 World Champion, and lest we recall, the most recent Ferrari champion.
Just as another multiple champion endures an indifferent campaign, with Lewis Hamilton assuming a sizeable portion of bad luck, coupled with a blend of frustration and desperation – Sebastian Vettel must manufacture a victory. If this necessitates exerting some of the moves he’s criticised at recent events, if executed, the potential remains to revitalise a season which is rapidly slipping away. That’s a sensation that previous saviour Fernando Alonso is most familiar with, but time is running short.
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