Vettel: Ferrari Has the Best Car on 2012 F1 Grid
Sebastian Vettel said ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix that Ferrari’s consistency and speed make it the strongest package so far in the 2012 Formula One season.
Sebastian Vettel, the reigning Formula One world champion, stated in late July 2012 that Ferrari’s F2012 had become the best car on the grid, crediting its consistency and reliability during a season marked by changeable conditions and close competition.
Speaking to journalists before the Hungarian Grand Prix, Vettel challenged the narrative that Fernando Alonso was outperforming the car. Instead, he said Ferrari’s package had become the most consistent across rain, dry, and variable grip, qualities that had kept Red Bull and McLaren behind at Hockenheim. “At the moment, Ferrari is the best,” Vettel said, adding that their ability to adapt to different conditions was unmatched at that point in the season.
Vettel’s assessment came as Ferrari and Alonso led the drivers’ standings, despite a difficult start to the year for the Italian team. While Alonso and Ferrari had repeatedly claimed they were winning without the fastest car, Vettel dismissed this, insisting their current form was down to having the best equipment and a reliable platform. He described Ferrari’s Hockenheim performance, where Alonso won from pole, as evidence that the F2012 had overtaken its rivals, at least for the time being.
The consistency question
Vettel highlighted Ferrari’s ability to perform in all conditions as the key to its advantage. He pointed out that while the team had struggled early in the season, its development had paid off, and by mid-season the F2012 was both fast and dependable. This was in contrast to other top teams, which had been more affected by changing weather or track surfaces.
Vettel also addressed the performance gap between Alonso and his teammate Felipe Massa. He denied that Ferrari’s success was due to team orders or a subservient second driver, but admitted he did not understand why Massa was unable to match Alonso’s results, despite the car’s competitiveness. Vettel referenced Massa’s past speed, recalling that he nearly won the championship in 2008, and said the Brazilian was now “miles away from the top of the championship, even though the car is working well.”
Vettel’s view on team dynamics
Asked whether he would consider joining Ferrari alongside Alonso, Vettel was non-committal, saying it would depend on the situation and that he was not afraid of competing against the Spaniard in the same team. He suggested that having two competitive drivers was better for a team than relying on a single frontrunner, but acknowledged that speculation about Ferrari’s driver contracts made him cautious about such a move.
Vettel’s comments reflected a mid-season shift in the competitive order, with Ferrari’s F2012 emerging as the most complete car at that stage. The debate over which team had the true performance edge would continue into the second half of the championship, with Red Bull, McLaren and Lotus all seeking to close the gap.
For more on the development of the 2012 Ferrari and its rivals, seeRed Bull's 2012 RB8 Launch: Marko Says New Car Avoids Ferrari's 'Ugly' Nose.
