Marchionne also says Vettel didn't try to negotiate a one-year deal only
Monday 4 September 2017 09:59, UK
Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne says Sebastian Vettel did not attempt to negotiate a single-year contract extension - and says the German's new long-term deal shows he is a "Ferrari man".
Marchionne also said the four-time world champion has no "special privileges" at the team, aside from his salary.
Vettel signed up to a new three-year term at Maranello at last week's Belgian GP to keep him at Maranello until at least 2020, confounding expectations he would opt for a shorter extension to keep open the option of a switch to Mercedes.
"I don't know if anyone expected him to sign a three-year deal," said Lewis Hamilton at Monza this week.
However, Marchionne says suggestions that Vettel was pushing for a 12-month renewal were news to him.
"If he did ask for a year, I'm unaware of it," said Marchionne in an interview with Sky Sports News' Craig Slater.
"The only thing we ever talked to him about was a two or three-year deal. I think he's happy here.
"I told him he was free to sign up whenever he wanted. I like Seb a lot, I think he's matured a lot even though he's a world champion times over, I think he's matured a lot over the last year. I think he's a Ferrari man, and those things you don't get out of your blood."
Who's under contract until when?
Confirmation of Vettel's decision to stay at Ferrari has consolidated his status as the team's long-term team leader. Kimi Raikkonen, Vettel's preferred team-mate, is also staying on for 2018.
But Marchionne denied that Vettel was afforded special privileges.
"We compensate him as well for what he does," said the Ferrari chief. "I have always complimented him on his ability to strike a good economic bargain. But it's true for most drivers of his calibre. I'm envious!"
As Ferrari chase their first Drivers' Championship in 10 years, Vettel saw his lead over Lewis Hamilton reduced to just seven points last week at Spa with the German in danger of losing the leadership of the title race for the first time in 2017 at Monza on Sunday.
And although the characteristics the Italian GP circuit plays more readily to the strengths of Mercedes' car, Marchionne is optimistic the remaining seven tracks will generally suit Ferrari's package better.
"We'll take it [a title loss] if it comes in that shape but obviously the objective is to try to clean this up," said the Italian-Canadian.
"There's been a huge development in the car since the beginning of the season. The rest of the season, this race excepted, appears to be more favourable to the characteristics of our car.
"If that's true then I think it's going to be an interesting dog fight between us and Mercedes right until the end. I think it's going to be the stuff that Formula 1 should be made of as a sport."
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