Former Ferrari boss warns drivers against 'acting like an engineer', draws parallel between Hamilton and Vettel

Former Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has cautioned that drivers who overstep their role by "acting like an engineer" can create problems for a team, drawing a direct parallel between Lewis Hamilton's recent actions and Sebastian Vettel's past behavior. Arrivabene revealed that Vettel, like Hamilton this season, frequently sent detailed documents and suggestions to the team during his tenure at Maranello.

Why it matters:

The dynamic between a star driver and the engineering team is a delicate balance in Formula 1. While driver feedback is invaluable for car development, Arrivabene's comments highlight a potential pitfall when that feedback transforms into unsolicited engineering directives, which can blur roles and disrupt a team's operational hierarchy. This insight comes as Hamilton concludes his first season with Ferrari, a period marked by his vocal and documented push for changes within the team.

The details:

• Arrivabene, speaking to Sky Sport Italy, confirmed that Sebastian Vettel was known for preparing and sending detailed dossiers to the Ferrari team during their time working together.
• He emphasized a clear distinction in roles: "A driver’s job isn’t just to drive — it’s also to help develop the car. But if a driver starts acting like an engineer, then you’re in trouble."
• When asked if Vettel's detailed inputs were useful, Arrivabene responded, "Not really," clarifying that his stance is about role definition rather than personal criticism.
• This season, Lewis Hamilton sparked discussion by sending documents to Ferrari outlining suggested changes, not only for the car but also concerning the team's internal processes and dynamics. Hamilton framed these as intended to spark dialogue rather than issue orders.

The big picture:

Hamilton's first year with Ferrari has been a challenging transition, failing to yield a race win. His proactive approach mirrors methods he employed successfully at Mercedes, but adapting to Ferrari's distinct culture has proven complex. The seven-time champion's post-race radio message in Abu Dhabi, thanking the team for their hard work despite the results, was seen by some as a symbolic farewell to the difficulties of the season. Hamilton himself hinted at a complete mental break, joking about discarding his phone over the winter. Arrivabene's warning underscores the perennial challenge top teams face: harnessing a champion driver's insight without allowing it to override the specialized work of hundreds of engineers.