Sebastian Vettel says start of Ferrari F1 career is a "fairytale"
Sebastian Vettel has labelled his first experience of Ferrari as a "fairytale" after completing a four-day session with the Maranello Formula 1 team
With his Red Bull contract having come to an end last week, Vettel wasted little time in getting down to work with his new employer.
Having arrived at the Ferrari factory on Friday, Vettel drove a 2012 F1 car at Fiorano on Saturday, spent a whole day in the simulator on Sunday and then met senior team figures including Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne, team boss Maurizio Arrivabene and technical chief James Allison for meetings on Monday.
Speaking after his first run in the 2012 car - which bore his chosen #5 that he will switch to now his use of the champion's #1 is over - Vettel confessed to feeling special emotions.
"There are a lot of fairytales about Ferrari and how it feels to drive a red car," said Vettel, who ran with a white helmet.
"In the end I can only confirm these fairytales.
"It's not just a story; it's a true legend that exists.
"And it feels really, really special to become part of that and to be inside the car, to see the people coming, running to the track and trying to climb the walls to see the car.
"There is definitely something very magical and something that happened today which I will never forget."
VIDEO: VETTEL STARTS WORK AT FERRARI
Vettel said his first taste of driving at Fiorano also reminded him of visits he made to Maranello as a child - when he hoped to catch a glimpse of then hero Michael Schumacher.
"I remember I was here a long, long time ago as a little child, driving through Maranello and trying to look over the fence," he said.
"So to be here officially as part of the team, it felt fantastic to have the possibility to drive the car, and get to know the team. It was a unique experience.
"Obviously it's a very different colour for me. Everybody is dressed in red, everything is red, but it's really something special and I'm very much looking forward to the challenge that we took on for the next years."
Although F1's testing restrictions mean Vettel will have to wait until the first pre-season test at Jerez next year to try a contemporary Ferrari, his experience at Fiorano has at least helped familiarise him with the way the team works and how its steering wheel controls are placed.
Caterham F1 team says racing in Abu Dhabi key to survival chances
Franchitti: When your retirement really hits
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
Why McLaren's revamp is not just about its 2023 F1 car struggles
Why McLaren's revamp is not just about its 2023 F1 car struggles Why McLaren's revamp is not just about its 2023 F1 car struggles
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
The factors behind Vettel’s priority shift in his final F1 chapter
The factors behind Vettel’s priority shift in his final F1 chapter The factors behind Vettel’s priority shift in his final F1 chapter
The decisive steps in Vettel’s Ferrari F1 disappointments
The decisive steps in Vettel’s Ferrari F1 disappointments The decisive steps in Vettel’s Ferrari F1 disappointments
How Vettel put in the hard yards to exploit Red Bull’s F1 potential
How Vettel put in the hard yards to exploit Red Bull’s F1 potential How Vettel put in the hard yards to exploit Red Bull’s F1 potential
Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours
Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Yamaha “still far away” from what it needs from 2023 MotoGP engine
Yamaha “still far away” from what it needs from 2023 MotoGP engine Yamaha “still far away” from what it needs from 2023 MotoGP engine
Bagnaia must “respect” #1 plate to defend his MotoGP crown in 2023
Bagnaia must “respect” #1 plate to defend his MotoGP crown in 2023 Bagnaia must “respect” #1 plate to defend his MotoGP crown in 2023
Marc Marquez: Honda “not a title contender” on eve of 2023 MotoGP season
Marc Marquez: Honda “not a title contender” on eve of 2023 MotoGP season Marc Marquez: Honda “not a title contender” on eve of 2023 MotoGP season
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.