Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has said that Sebastian Vettel must earn a new contract past 2017 when his current deal is due to come to an end.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, Arrivabene was asked whether an early renewal would boost Vettel’s confidence and thus deliver stronger results for the team – a tactic the Italian marque employed with Michael Schumacher.
The Italian doesn’t, however, think it would work for Vettel and suggested the German must show he’s worth a new deal when it comes to discussing his future at some point next year.
“I do not think that we can build his confidence with [early contract] renewals,” said Arrivabene.
“What we worked with Michael [Schumacher] might not necessarily work with Sebastian.
“He just needs to focus on the car. Sometimes he is interested in a bit of everything – so sometimes you have to re-focus his attention, remind him to focus on the main job,” he added.
“We work together this year and again next year. Then during the next season, we’ll see [if we renew].
“Each of us has goals, I have them, the team has them, Sebastian has them, we all have them. So it is only right that anyone, no matter who it is, earns their place and their salary.”