Breaking news
Formula 1
Vettel: Demo crash down to using Raikkonen's wheel
Sebastian Vettel has explained how using Kimi Raikkonen’s steering wheel contributed to his crash during Formula 1’s Milan demonstration ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Scott Mitchell
Edited: Aug 30, 2018, 10:22 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Vettel suffered a low-speed incident during the Wednesday afternoon demo, running wide into a plastic barrier and dislodging the car's front wing.
Though the car was liveried with his numbers, four-time world champion Vettel said he was using Raikkonen's car and steering wheel, which he says has a different clutch control.
"I apologised," Vettel said. "I went with the car and the steering wheel of Kimi, who had the clutch on the other side.
"I didn't think about it, and at that point I was too fast. I asked if it would be possible to change the wing to do two more laps for the fans.
"Obviously it was my mistake, but that's OK."
Having the clutch control on opposing sides, which will be down to each driver's preference and what they are comfortable with, is not the only difference between Vettel's and Raikkonen's wheels.
Vettel's has an additional paddle on the back for an unconfirmed function.
Last year, Vettel switched to a dual finger-hole clutch paddle arrangement, before reverting to the same single-clutch system Raikkonen kept for the whole year.
Both have retained the single-paddle set-up this season.
Though the crash marked a sheepish beginning to Ferrari's home grand prix, Vettel arrives at Monza as favourite after his victory in Belgium last Sunday.
He said: "It's a special weekend for us and the team and I feel it as well.
"We hope to give Monza great emotions and with this Ferrari I know that we can do a great race.
"For us this race is a championship. I know it has created enthusiasm for the fans and I hope to be able to dream with them."
Additional reporting by Matteo Nugnes
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes to consider Bottas support role after Monza
Next article Petronas working on "new chemistries" to boost Mercedes title bid
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Kimi Raikkonen
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
More from
Ferrari
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Latest news
Manthey acknowledges IMSA to be "tougher than expected" despite two wins
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 8 h
Manthey acknowledges IMSA to be "tougher than expected" despite two wins
How a philosophy shift brought BMW to new heights in 2026
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 8 h
How a philosophy shift brought BMW to new heights in 2026
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
ARCA
ARCA ARCA 10 h
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe