Italian media tear into Vettel after poor run of results

Never shying away from critical analysis of Ferrari, multiple Italian media outlets have torn into Sebastian Vettel after another costly mistake at the Japanese Grand Prix has all but confirmed title rival Lewis Hamilton as the 2018 world champion.

Spotting a chance up the hill to Spoon Curve, Vettel decided to try down the inside of Max Verstappen in an ambitious move that ruined his recovery from an already dire qualifying for the team, having started down in eighth position.

It also compounded the perception that Ferrari has thrown away the 2018 season having had the stronger car for much of the season up until Singapore, where mysteriously the Scuderia lost their pace advantage over their title rivals which they have yet to recover.

La Gazzetta dello Sport did not hold back in their assessment of Vettel's drive at Suzuka, criticising both the driver and the team for yet another mistake in a promising season.

La Stampa also weighed in on the mistake by the German, "Maybe they are unlucky, but Sebastian Vettel just does not do anything right anymore. That is a fact," with Corriere dello Sport also agreeing with the assessment, "The problem can only lie with the team and the drivers. Vettel is deep in an existential crisis.

La Repubblica led with perhaps the most damming analysis of all, praising the enemy. "Lewis Hamilton is breaking Fangio's record and Vettel simply fails. Vettel chose the worst moments to lose and his team boss, Maurizio Arrivabene, criticizes his own drivers and team."