Alonso and Vettel: how did they handle Ferrari pressure at Monza? – Nextgen-Auto.com

The tifosi, the Italian press, the desire to do well: everything combines to put pressure on the Ferrari drivers this weekend at Monza. Charles Leclerc has already confided that for him, it was more about feeling passion than pressure. Do the former Ferrari drivers in the paddock make the same observation? Sebastian Vettel for example: how did he feel this transalpine fervor? And as Charles Leclerc confided, has he ever had trouble leaving the hotel because of the fans! “Yeah, I’ve never had that problem getting out of the hotel, but maybe it’s because Charles looks good that he’s so popular!” No, I think it’s extreme fun, it’s an honor and from what I’ve been through all these years, it’s just… they’re happy you’re driving the red car and you push to continue. I’ve had good races and bad races, and either way the fans seem equally excited. “Of course they like you on the podium, they like Ferrari performing well but even if you don’t… it’s not like they start to hate you, there always has lots of love and support. So it’s a great feeling to experience as a driver. Fernando Alonso makes the same observation as Charles Leclerc: at Monza, when you drive for Ferrari, it’s more about passion than pressure. “Yes, same thing. It’s extra motivation but never pressure, your performance isn’t affected by it and if something gives you extra then I think it’s one of the best times of the year, it’s sure. The pressure and the rumors of dismissal… The Italian press being sometimes quick to overreact to each slightest bad result of the Scuderia, it is also not uncommon for the Grands Prix at Monza to have happened, for Ferrari, in a particular atmosphere: and more particularly in rumors of dismissal of team managers, for example. This year is no exception since after a series of setbacks and hiccups, part of the Italian press questioned the place of Mattia Binotto at the head of the team. When he was at Ferrari, how did Fernando Alonso experience this chronic instability in this Italian atmosphere? “At least in my case, I never paid too much attention to rumors so all these things when you are at Ferrari… When you are in Formula 1 in general you have to perform, otherwise things will change . It’s the same for pilots, mechanics, designers, bosses. There is enormous pressure. This is not a charity event. It’s a professional event. “Finally Charles Leclerc himself, questioned about these more or less well-founded rumors circulating about his current team manager, Mattia Binotto, prefers to shrug his shoulders. “There are always rumors around a Formula 1 team and especially with Ferrari, but I think what is important in these times is not to be distracted by what is being said. “We are very united as a team and I think we have to keep it that way. We have shown that we have been excellent from last year to this year with this kind of performance and we must continue in this direction. “I haven’t heard that particular rumor but obviously we have to focus on our own work. »