22/12/2014
NEWS STORY
Ferrari bosses appreciate that Sebastian Vettel will have his work cut out as the team attempts to rediscover winning form.
When Michael Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1996, many wondered if the German had made a dreadful mistake. While it took five seasons before the German finally won the title - the first of five consecutive championships with the Maranello outfit - his recruitment was just one phase of a major overhaul for the team as, amongst others, new boss Jean Todt brought Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne on board from Benetton.
As Sebastian Vettel seeks to emulate his hero's success, his move to Ferrari is also just one part of a major restructuring at Maranello, and whilst his employers don't expect miracles from the outset they are looking to the German to do his bit.
"I don't think he's naïve," said Sergio Marchionne at today's end of year press conference and lunch, "he knows our level of performance but this is the power of Ferrari: it manages to attract people even just based on its potential.
"Our job for 2015 is to set this potential free," he continued. "Vettel's big gamble is ours too, to reconstruct the team and to make it grow. The work we have undertaken alongside Maurizio is to give guarantees to this team, to bring about clear decisions and to have faith in the people who make up the team."
"Vettel brings with him the experience of winning," added team principal Maurizio Arrivabene, "he has his four world titles and the enthusiasm to work together. He certainly wants to make the Scuderia grow alongside us. Having said that, even though drivers may be luxury employees they are still employees and they must work together with others. I think Sebastian is well equipped for the job that awaits him.
"He gets on very well with Kimi and this is a positive element," he added, "even if I hope that they won't get on quite so well on the track, because the rule must remain that your team-mate is your main opponent."