Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Recommended for you

IndyCar retains Independent Officiating Board leadership and managing director Scot Elkins for 2027

IndyCar
IndyCar
IndyCar retains Independent Officiating Board leadership and managing director Scot Elkins for 2027

Review: What Formula 1 Fans Can Expect from "Schumacher '94"

Formula 1
Formula 1
Review: What Formula 1 Fans Can Expect from "Schumacher '94"

Blockbuster GTD Pro Finale: Corvette and BMW headline wide-open title clash at Petit Le Mans

IMSA
IMSA
Petit Le Mans
Blockbuster GTD Pro Finale: Corvette and BMW headline wide-open title clash at Petit Le Mans

Alex Brundle questions McLaren F1 upgrade after Azerbaijan GP disappointment

Formula 1
Formula 1
Azerbaijan GP
Alex Brundle questions McLaren F1 upgrade after Azerbaijan GP disappointment

Toyota-backed Sho Tsuboi to make switch from Super Formula to F2

Super Formula
Super Formula
Toyota-backed Sho Tsuboi to make switch from Super Formula to F2

Ganassi on Lundgaard signing: “When is the last time a guy who finished third was available"

IndyCar
IndyCar
Ganassi on Lundgaard signing: “When is the last time a guy who finished third was available"

F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?

Formula 1
Formula 1
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?

Mercedes braced for tougher strategy calls as George Russell closes on Kimi Antonelli

Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Mercedes braced for tougher strategy calls as George Russell closes on Kimi Antonelli
Breaking news

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.

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H

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

Previous article Ferrari's best chance for first Italian F1 GP victory since 2010?
Next article Petronas working on "new chemistries" to boost Mercedes title bid

Top Comments

Latest news