DECEMBER 15, 2015

Vettel more Ferrarista than Alonso ever was

In assessing Sebastian Vettel's first year at Ferrari, president Sergio Marchionne aimed a pointed barb at Fernando Alonso.

In assessing Sebastian Vettel's first year at Ferrari, president Sergio Marchionne aimed a pointed barb at Fernando Alonso.

Vettel replaced the McLaren-Honda bound Alonso at the fabled Maranello team this year, and Marchionne sounds more than happy with the move.

"Vettel is fantastic. Last Saturday here in Maranello he made a speech in front of our 1200 people, completely in Italian. It was unbelievable.

"In only one year, I can say he became more of a Ferrarista than Alonso did in five years," Marchionne charged.

The Italian-Canadian also said Ferrari is happy with Kimi Raikkonen, even though the team considered not renewing his contract for 2016.

"I saw a huge change in Kimi during the season," Marchionne said. "Now and then he shows me photos of his baby -- I think he is becoming a lot more settled, which I think will be helpful in 2016.

"I think he will be the most engaged we have seen him for the last little while. I am delighted he is part of the team," he added.

(GMM)