Piero Ferrari: Vettel and Ferrari 'no longer lived well together'

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Ferrari vice-chairman Piero Ferrari has questioned whether Sebastian Vettel and the Scuderia really understood each other.

Vettel's departure from Maranello at the end of the year was unexpectedly announced this week and represented the first domino to fall in the ebullient drivers' market.

Since, Ferrari has announced the arrival of McLaren's Carlos Sainz for 2021 while Renault's Daniel Ricciardo will replace the Spaniard at the Woking-based outfit.

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Speaking to Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport, Piero Ferrari took stock of Vettel's time at the Scuderia during which too many mistakes and missed opportunities from both team and driver undermined the pair's quest for the world championship.

"It’s a beautiful story that could have been much more beautiful," Ferrari said.

"We have reached the end of the relationship with Vettel for various reasons, both for him and the team.

"We no longer live well together, and we will separate. It is like a marriage that is coming to an end."

The 74-year-old son of Enzo Ferrari remained mum on the "various reasons" that led to the split and elegantly refused to apportion blame.

"It is not a question of having the best driver or the best car," he added.

"I often had great confidence and esteem for Seb because he has done great races, but I don’t know if he did not understand the car or we did not understand him.

"Things like this can happen, it is not the time to give responsibility to anyone."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.