Sebastian Vettel reveals bizarre name for 2019 Ferrari car ahead of Lewis Hamilton battle
SEBASTIAN VETTEL has revealed the bizarre name he has given to his 2019 Ferrari car.
Vettel has notoriously named his F1 cars ever since he drove ‘Julie’ to a first race win while at Toro Rosso in 2008.
The German has opted for a similarly tame name for the upcoming campaign - Lina.
Lewis Hamilton is the favourite to win a sixth world title this season but Ferrari have made significant upgrades throughout the offseason so are expecting to make it a close fight.
The Prancing Horse are on a 12-year Championship drought but Vettel is hoping Lina can give him the advantage over Hamilton.
“She has got a name - Lina,” the German said at F1’s driver unveiling in Melbourne this morning.
“She is quite lean. I’m ready to go. There is quite a lot of people here which is nice to see.
“It is always a kind of a similar build-up. There is testing week where you get back in the rhythm then you come here and are ready to race.
“I am looking forward to getting on track.”
Vettel has not always named his car with a straight bat.
In 2009, his maiden year with Red Bull, he drove Kate and Kate’s Dirty Sister.
And during his first Drivers’ Championship triumph in 2010 he sat in Luscious Liz and Randy Mandy.
Vettel peaked in 2011 with Kinky Kylie, but as he got older the names have subdued.
Sebastian Vettel previous car names
2018 | Ferrari SF71H | Loria
2017 | Ferrari SF70-H | Gina
2016 | Ferrari SF16- H | Margherita
2015 | Ferrari SF15-T | Eva
2014 | Red Bull RB10 | Suzie
2013 | Red Bull RB9 | Hungry Heidi
2012 | Red Bull RB8 | Abbey
2011 | Red Bull RB7 | Kinky Kylie
2010 | Red Bull RB6 | Luscious Liz, Randy Mandy
2009 | Red Bull RB5 | Kate, Kate’s Dirty Sister
2008 | Toro Rosso STR3 | Julie