Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Sebastian Vettel Tells Lewis Hamilton the Key to Ferrari Success

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Nov 27, 2025 4:15 AM ET

Sebastian Vettel, a four-time F1 world champion, opened up on his time at Ferrari and the lessons he learned about the importance of language and culture in a team environment.

Speaking on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Vettel explained that while English is the official language at Ferrari, Italian plays a critical role in connecting with the heart of the team.

Vettel recounted, “Lewis Hamilton has been with Mercedes for a long, long time. And then the move to Ferrari, for sure, it’s going to be a huge difference because the heart and the culture of the team is Italian. The language is English, there are also employees that he doesn’t understand because they don’t speak English or they don’t speak English very well.”

He stressed that while communication in English may suffice for basic coordination, truly understanding the people and culture requires more than a functional grasp of the language.

Learning the Language: A Crucial Step

Reflecting on his own Ferrari journey, Vettel admitted he could have done better by fully immersing himself in Italian. “Looking back I learned Italian, I took classes and I sort of got along and I understand, but I wasn’t perfect. I should have really studied Italian more, maybe also spent more time in Italy to really understand the culture more because culture is also the people,” Vettel said.

The German driver highlighted that language fluency is not just about communication but about integrating into the team and appreciating its traditions, values, and dynamics, all critical for performance at one of F1’s most iconic teams.

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel embrace at the launch of the Buzzin' Corner biodiversity project during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on September 21, 2023 in Suzuka, Japan.Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Vettel’s Advice to Hamilton

Vettel shared the advice he gave Hamilton prior to his switch to Ferrari: “The only advice I can give you, the best advice I can give you is learn the language, learn it really, really well.” He emphasized that understanding Italian culture and connecting with team members on a personal level is as important as any technical knowledge a driver brings to the track.

This insight underscores how a driver’s off-track adaptability can influence on-track performance, particularly in a team-driven sport like F1.

For Hamilton, a seven-time world champion used to Mercedes’ structured environment, Vettel’s guidance is invaluable. Ferrari’s rich Italian heritage, combined with its unique team dynamics, requires more than just driving skill, cultural awareness and interpersonal connections can significantly affect communication, strategy execution, and overall success.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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