Vettel wants to help Ferrari beyond the cockpit

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Sebastian Vettel believes he can help Ferrari achieve better results not just out on the race track, but also behind the scenes at Maranello.

While team boss Maurizio Arrivabene has urged the German to focus exclusively on his driving, the four-time world champion believes his vast experience can now extend beyond the cockpit.

"When I joined Red Bull, I was 21 years old," explained Vettel on Autosport.com.

"I have a bit more experience now, so it's a completely different situation. When you grow up, you build a certain experience and you're able to see the bigger picture.

"It changes also your mind and your perspective of things - if I can see I can help somewhere. In the end I'm here to drive the car but also here to help."

There's no doubt that Ferrari has under-performed again this season, incapable of closing the gap with arch-rival Mercedes. Vettel does not believe however that critics should take aim at the Scuderia's top brass and Arrivabene in particular.

"The way I see it, he has a lot of responsibilities and he is pushing very hard and working a lot, so you can't take that away from him," said Vettel.

"But there are a lot of other people in the team so he is not all by himself. Everybody is trying to help as much as he or she can.

"Co-ordinating 1300 people is not very easy, but the people we have in charge - in particular Maurizio - are doing a very good job. Things are coming along and look promising for the future."

Vettel also pleaded to let time play its role, as improvement and build-up are lengthy processes in Formula 1.

"Once you put something strong in place... and I've been part of that process before with Red Bull where it takes time. The day they started to be taken seriously was back in 2005, the day they won races was 2009, so it took some time for them.

"It also took time for Mercedes, it always takes time if you try to raise the bar again and to come back to the front, because it does take time for people to really work hand in hand and for things to come together.

"Once they do then it usually clicks, it works, and that's when results come together as well."

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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.