Real characters at Ferrari – Arrivabene

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F1 Test, Barcelona, Circuit de Catalunyaes

Ferrari's new team chef Maurizio Arrivabene hails the team's new driver pairing and expects the team to improve gradually as it faces an uphill battle against the likes of Mercedes.

Arrivabene is the laziness personified. He was smoking a cigarette while he was interviewed yesterday. The flamboyant Italian spoke about the progress his team has been making over the winter.

„Everything goes according to our plan. Every aim has been achieved.”

As for the Mercedes dominance, Arrivabene said that „we expected it.”

The aim is to win at least two races which „is an ambitious aim. We have be there when Mercedes get in trouble.”

Maurizio thinks that the team's two drivers Kimi Raikkönen and Sebastian Vettel have very different personality. „They are totally different charakters. One of them hardly speaks anything, the other one speaks a lot.”

Kimi Raikkönen has been a challange for Arrivabene, the Italian wasn't hesitant to admit that. „You sometimes talk to him about a certain topic and he suddenly turns his back and gets silent. He then goes back later and wants to speak with you.”

The communication with Sebastian is much easier. 'I ask in English, he answers in Italian. Seb is a real Ferrari fan and he is already a member of the family in 120 per cent."

For the Italian Vettel is reminiscent of the young Michael Schumacher. „How he works, how he wants to know every single detail, how disciplined he is. I can understand why he is a four-time world champion.”

Ferrari's President, Sergio Marchionne declared his plans some days ago. He claimed that he expected his team to make big jumps forward when the field arrives in Europe. „We will improve gradually. But if Sergio said it then it is an order for us.” - said Arrivabene.