'If he was healthy, I would ask him many things' - Vettel misses Schumacher amid 2018 F1 struggle

Sebastian Vettel thinks he would benefit from the advice of his old friend and mentor Michael Schumacher.

One analysis of recent events is that, despite finally having the best car, the German driver and Ferrari are self-sabotaging their chances of finally beating Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton.

'I would ask him many things'

Vettel admitted to Sport Bild that he misses the input of his old mentor Schumacher, whose condition following brain injuries in late 2013 is largely unknown.

READ: Vettel feeling pressure of 2018 battle - Newey

Vettel said: "If he was healthy, I would ask him about many things. Not necessarily how to drive, but more things that are behind the scenes. Teamwork, Formula 1 politics. He has a lot of experience from his time with Ferrari." 

Two prominent F1 figures agree.

Mika Hakkinen, a retired double world champion, thinks Ferrari and Vettel are throwing 2018 away with "many mistakes and strange decisions".

'Everything is already decided'

"I have seen that Sebastian has said he wishes he had Michael Schumacher available to ask for advice, and I can understand why.

"Working very closely with the management and senior technical staff, Michael knew how to help get the most out of the Ferrari team. And it looks like Vettel has lost some faith in the team to provide him with the necessary support," the Finn told his Unibet column.

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has a similar opinion.

"Everything is already decided, Hamilton is world champion. Unfortunately Ferrari messed it up in Monza and Singapore with the strategy. That would have never happened at Ferrari with Schumacher," Ecclestone added.