"We're both trying to do our best in our fields," says Vettel after talk of rift with Arrivabene; Ferrari boss's future under scrutiny again
Monday 24 October 2016 14:16, UK
Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene have insisted there are no problems between them, amid fresh speculation over the Italian's position at the helm of the F1 team.
Talk of a rift between team boss and star driver emerged at the Japanese GP after Arrivabene, in an interview with Italy's Sky F1, delivered what was interpreted as a warning to Vettel by saying the four-time world champion had to "earn" his position at the team beyond the end of his current contract and should concentrate on driving.
Asked by Sky F1 at the US GP what he made of the remarks, Vettel said: "I don't know what he has said or not, I know what he says to me and generally we are on the same page.
"We are both trying to do our best in our fields. Obviously my field is very different to his, mine is mostly happening inside the car, but whatever I can do outside the car I'm trying to help."
Arrivabene refused to revisit his comments from Suzuka and said there were no schisms inside the Scuderia.
"The team is united," the Ferrari team principal told Sky F1. "Me and Sebastian have zero problem. So I don't like to talk about a part of this interview, I would like to talk about us [the team]. We are united and committed to all do our best, that's it.
Vettel and Arrivabene's comments at the US GP came as fresh reports in the Spanish media suggested Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne is considering replacing Arrivabene at the end of the year.
The 2016 season has proved challenging and disappointing for Ferrari in equal measure.
The team, without a win in 13 months, have failed to challenge Mercedes on the track and have experienced yet more internal upheaval following the departure of technical chief James Allison in the summer.
Brundle doubts Vettel long-term stay
Vettel, whose own results have proved inconsistent, admits Ferrari's failure to hit their ambitious pre-season targets "doesn't feel nice" but believes they have still progressed in their organisation off the track.
"We have a lot of work in front of us. I know we're working very, very hard but still it's a very steep mountain to climb. But everybody believes we can do it," he argued.
"It's not been an easy year, a lot of up and down. Obviously we had very high expectations and didn't fulfil them, which doesn't feel nice.
"But knowing that this season has been a tough one, but brought a lot of change inside the factory and the company, and good progress I think it was very, very useful and the best one I've had of the two [at Ferrari]."
