Ecclestone: Vettel was an "undeserved runner-up"

Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone believes Sebastian Vettel was an "underserved runner-up" because he didn't get enough support from the Ferrari team. He also suggests the passing of Sergio Marchionne created more chaos as the team struggled to put strategies in the correct place.

Ecclestone is not the only name to claim Vettel didn't pick up enough support during the 2018 season. David Coulthard, amongst others, suggested the German didn't get the support he needed which forced the mistakes.

Vettel, 31, has been portrayed as the victim in the Italian media after picking up plenty of grief for his mistake in Hockenheim. Ecclestone believes Ferrari should pick up the majority of the blame.

“Lewis deserved to be World Champion, and Sebastian was an undeserved runner-up. Lewis was outstanding but also got total support from his team. You can’t say that for Sebastian," Ecclestone told Auto Bild.

“My impression is that Ferrari fell into old habits after the death of Sergio Marchionne. Lacking a strong hand there was more chaos than constructive action. Suddenly there were strange mistakes in strategy, and from the outside one had the impression that Ferrari did more for Kimi Raikkonen than for Sebastian. He is a victim, not a culprit.”

Ecclestone goes on to flashback to when Ferrari was the dominant constructor in Formula 1. He links in Michael Schumacher who won five World Championships in succession.

"At the time, Jean Todt was fully behind Michael… if a top driver does not feel that support from his team, the error rate increases because the damage happens in his head," Ecclestone added.