Red Rubik's Cube: Ferrari is looking for lost strength

Four races and four Mercedes double successes later, Vettel is still winless and already pretty much left behind in the World Cup. The European opener at the Circuit de Catalunya at the weekend already looks like the Grand Prix of the last chance for his title dreams in red. “I am sure that we can turn things around,” says the 31-year-old imploringly. Vettel is supposed to be helped by a new engine upgrade, which Ferrari will use two races earlier than planned.

Leclerc puts Vettel under pressure The Scuderia still can't really understand how the supposed advantage of the winter tests could turn into such a frustrating start to the season. Barcelona is seen as a benchmark for the balance of power on most routes: whoever is fast in Catalonia is usually far ahead everywhere. The German admits that he has lost some of the feeling for his company car. “I'm not driving as well as I could because the car doesn't respond and react the way I want it to,” explains Vettel. Little by little he lost trust in his vehicle. The fact that his new teammate Charles Leclerc apparently gets along better with the bitchy Ferrari and thus puts Vettel under additional pressure doesn't necessarily help the four-time world champion. Handles the car better than his teammate Vettel: Charles Leclerc. © AP / Sergei Grits

Envious, we once again look at Mercedes in the neighboring garage. World Championship leader Valtteri Bottas and defending champion Lewis Hamilton have each won two races. First and second place four times in a row for the Silver Arrows – there has never been such a start to the season in Formula 1 history. Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto believes he knows the reason for the series of defeats. “The secret is the tires. We have more problems this year than last year,” says the 49-year-old, who was supposed to lead the racing team into a bright future when he took office at the beginning of the year.

Vettel also complains that the new Ferrari reacts too sensitively to the rubber rollers from manufacturer Pirelli. Bringing the tires to the necessary temperature at which they enable the fastest laps has so far been unsuccessful. “It's like a Rubik's cube,” says Vettel, alluding to the rotating puzzle that has been famous since the 80s and has driven many people to despair. “We definitely have a lot of people in the team who can do the Rubik’s cube in a few minutes,” assures Vettel. “But this Rubik’s Cube is really huge.”

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Red Rubik's Cube: Ferrari is looking for lost strength

In search of lost strength, Sebastian Vettel returns to the place of hope. It wasn't even 70 days ago when Ferrari set the fastest test time in Barcelona and started the Formula 1 season as favorites. The world looks completely different now.

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