Sports

Sebastian Vettel recalls childhood visit during first 3 days in Maranello as a Ferrari driver

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Sebastian Vettel steers an F2012 car from two seasons ago, at Ferrari's private Fiorano circuit, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. Sebastian Vettel is testing with Ferrari for the first time since signing with the Formula One team. It was announced last week that Vettel, who won four consecutive F1 titles at Red Bull, had signed a three-year deal with Ferrari to replace Fernando Alonso. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini) (The Associated Press)

Sebastian Vettel steers an F2012 car from two seasons ago, at Ferrari's private Fiorano circuit, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. Sebastian Vettel is testing with Ferrari for the first time since signing with the Formula One team. It was announced last week that Vettel, who won four consecutive F1 titles at Red Bull, had signed a three-year deal with Ferrari to replace Fernando Alonso. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini) (The Associated Press)

Sebastian Vettel is settling in at Ferrari, having spent the last three days testing with and meeting his new team.

Vettel completed nearly 100 laps in a two-year-old F2012 on Saturday at Ferrari's Fiorano track. He drove a "virtual" F14 T on the simulator Sunday. Then on Monday, Vettel met with Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne, new team principal Maurizio Arrivabene and technical director James Allison.

Vettel tells Ferrari's website the sessions reminded him of how he came to Maranello when he was 11 or 12 and peered over the fence to watch Michael Schumacher drive.

He said: "Well, today I was the one running and saw the 'tifosi' (fans) around. ... It feels really, really special."

Vettel joined Ferrari from Red Bull, where he won four Formula One titles.