(AGI) Rome, Oct 16 - Sebastian Vettel has just finished hisfirst year with Ferrari, competing in 15 Grand Prix races. Thistime last year, he was coming to the end of his stint with RedBull, for whom he won four Grand Prix championship titles.Things are looking even more promising than expected both forFerrari and for Vettel, with three races won, another eightpodium places and a second place in the rankings. In anexclusive interview with Formula1.com, he said he had enjoyedhis time at Red Bull: "The four titles speak volumes. For sure,2014 was not a nice season. I was not performing the way Iwanted to perform - and if that happens it is more honest toshow your feelings and not hide behind a fake smile. So aboutthe same time last year I understood that it was time to moveon. And the stage I am at now proved me right. I am very happywith how things worked out. Sure, when I joined Ferrari therewas never any guarantee in terms of results, but now it is niceto know that we've exceeded all kinds of expectations,including mine - maybe." Asked when he left the Red Bull familyat the end of 2014 "could you have foreseen the situation theyare in right now? Uncertainty over engine supply and evenspeculation about their leaving the sport ...", Vettel replied"No, nobody could. There are a lot of rumours in the air and Ihave not spoken with Mr Mateschitz lately, but it is hard tobelieve that it could really happen. It would mean a huge loss.But in the end I doubt that it will happen. That's my position- and I don't think I stand alone on it." He then denied thatthere was always some drama going on at Ferrari: "FormerScuderia driver Niki Lauda used the term 'grande casino' - bigchaos - for the intense moments in the team. Ferrari is thebiggest of all the teams we have in the paddock. It has beenthere from the very beginning of F1. It is the history, thedrivers ... there is something outstanding about Ferrari. So itwas a dream come true when I joined - and against all odds thefirst year so far has been amazing. So no dramas so far!" Inresponse to the interviewer's remark "But it is different ...",Vettel said: "But that goes for all the teams. Every team hasits own unique DNA. Here it's much about a family atmosphere.The Italians have something special about them. My summary is:I like it!" (AGI). . .
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