Vettel: It's perhaps 'better' to have no fans at Monza

Sebastian Vettel believes it is perhaps better for him to be spared an emotional farewell to the fans at Monza this weekend for his final race with Ferrari at the Temple of Speed.

Vettel will depart the Scuderia at the end of the year and has yet to decide whether to remain on the gird - perhaps with Racing Point - in 2021.

Vettel and teammate Charles Leclerc finished well outside the points at Spa last time out, sustaining the Italian outfit's downward trend this season.

From one week to another, progress will be hard to come by, especially as Monza's high-speed layout will only highlight once again the weakness of the Scuderia's SF1000 package.

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Therefore, a venue void of its usual contingent of Tifosi - but which will include a group of local doctors, nurses and frontline workers - will perhaps alleviate part of the pressure on Ferrari, although Vettel will personally miss his Italian fans' presence.

"In a way, it’s better this way, but don’t get me wrong, it will be sad not to have fans in Monza – it’s the first time," he told Italian website Sport Mediaset.

"In recent years, around the world, I have always been overwhelmed by the affection of the Ferrari fans in Italy in a special way.

"I think it would be very difficult to race seeing all the people supporting you knowing that it is the last time in red. In this regard, perhaps it will be a little better this way."

Despite the subdued atmosphere and his team's depressed state of affairs, Vettel is determined to put on a brave face and fight for points come Sunday.

"We come to Monza knowing it’s going to be tough to be a frontrunner this weekend," he said in his team's Italian Grand Prix preview.

"The last race here was anything but straightforward for me and we are well aware that will also be the case this time.

"We have a specific aero package that we hope will make the SF1000 more competitive.

"Nevertheless, our aim this weekend is the same as always: to make the most of our package and bring home as many points as possible."

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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.