Photo: RacePictures

Hamilton warned against 'acting like an engineer' amid Vettel parallel

08:07, 13 Dec

byTobia Elia

Former Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene revealed that Sebastian Vettel used to send documents to the team just like Lewis Hamilton did this season.

“A driver’s job isn’t just to drive — it’s also to help develop the car. But if a driver starts acting like an engineer, then you’re in trouble”

- Maurizio Arrivabene

Earlier this season, Lewis Hamilton’s comments caused quite a stir regarding some documents he sent to the team, highlighting changes he thought were needed not just on the car but also within the team’s internal dynamics — aimed more at sparking dialogue than giving orders.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italy, the former Ferrari team principal revealed that Vettel used to do the same, though he stressed that drivers should focus on driving, not acting as engineers.

“It was Vettel who used to send the dossiers - he said - he wrote, he talked, all of that. Was it useful? Not really. I’m not against Sebastian, but everyone needs to stick to their role. A driver’s job isn’t just to drive — it’s also to help develop the car. But if a driver starts acting like an engineer, then you’re in trouble.”

Photo: Race Pictures.

Hamilton believed to have delivered his ‘farewell speech’ in Abu Dhabi

At the end of the Abu Dhabi GP, Hamilton said he’s ready to completely unplug from the “matrix,” even teasing that he might throw his phone in the trash over the winter break.

Despite a tough debut season with Ferrari, he took a moment over the radio to thank his team for their hard work, even if the results didn’t match expectations.

On Hamilton’s comments, former FIA steward Johnny Herbert made it clear exactly how he thinks they should be read.

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