Vettel Reveals Game-Changing Advice to Hamilton: The Secret to Thriving at Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, recently shared some insightful advice he gave to Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Briton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season. Vettel, who raced for Ferrari from 2015 to 2020, had a notable career with the team, even though he never managed to win a title there. Reflecting on his own experiences, Vettel emphasized a key piece of advice that he believes is crucial for any driver transitioning to the Scuderia: learning Italian.
Vettel explained that when he joined Ferrari, he encountered a significant cultural shift. Coming from Red Bull, a team with a distinctly British and international environment, Ferrari’s heart and soul were deeply rooted in Italian culture. For Vettel, the challenge wasn’t just adapting to a new team but also integrating into a new way of life in Maranello. “I loved my time at Ferrari,” Vettel said. “But I think I could have adapted better had I worked harder on learning Italian and immersing myself more in the culture.” While Vettel spoke Italian to some degree, he admitted that he could have been more fluent and better connected with the team’s spirit and people.
When asked about Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari, Vettel pointed out that for Lewis, who has spent the majority of his career with British teams like McLaren and Mercedes, the shift would be particularly significant. Although English is the common language for most of the team, there are still many employees who speak primarily Italian. Vettel believed that to truly understand Ferrari’s team dynamics and culture, Hamilton would need to immerse himself in the Italian language and lifestyle.
Vettel’s advice was clear: “The best thing you can do is learn the language. It’s not just about communicating technically with engineers; it’s about connecting with the people. Language is key to understanding the culture and the spirit of the team.” He highlighted that while language might not be necessary for the technical side of racing, it’s essential for getting to the heart of Ferrari and building strong relationships with the team.
In conclusion, Vettel’s message to Hamilton—and to anyone making a similar transition—is that mastering the local language and embracing the culture is an invaluable part of becoming part of a new team. For Vettel, not fully committing to this aspect was one of his few regrets during his time at Ferrari.
