Brawn says Vettel axe has gotten in his head

Vettel looked bad in Austria

Formula One's Ross Brawn thinks being dropped by Ferrari for 2021 has gotten in Sebastian Vettel's head.

Vettel qualified 11th at the Red Bull Ring and then spun after misjudging a pass on McLaren’s Carlos Sainz in the race, finishing 10th for the final point on offer.

“It was a difficult start to Sebastian’s final season with the team," said Brawn, a former Ferrari technical director and ex-Mercedes team boss, on Monday. “Everything must be swirling round in his head, after he found out Ferrari did not want to renew his services for next season.

“Sometimes, the things that put off a driver are quite subtle. Sebastian has appeared surprised and shocked by what has happened and it must be a distraction, understandably so."

“It was a disappointing race for me, even if we knew beforehand it would be tough," said Vettel.

“I struggled for the entire race, already after the first two laps, just as I had done in qualifying. The balance and speed I had on Friday just slipped away from us and I was really struggling to keep the car on track."

Sounds like the Ferrari team could be messing with Vettel's car to prove their axing decision was the right move.