Sebastian Vettel upbeat despite losing title lead
- Published on 30 Apr 2018 12:01
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Although losing the championship lead to Lewis Hamilton in Baku, Sebastian Vettel was the more upbeat driver. Indeed, while Hamilton's won the race, it was only because Vettel's late overtaking move for the win failed.
And also because Valtteri Bottas, in the other Mercedes, retired from the lead with a puncture. Hamilton, on the other hand, did not manage to emerge from what some pundits since China two weeks ago have been calling a slump or a crisis. "In all honestly I struggled through the weekend. I'm definitely struggling to extract the car's potential and my potential," said the Briton in Baku.
Hamilton said Ferrari is "a lot" ahead of Mercedes in terms of pace at present. German Vettel agreed that while he lost the title lead in Baku, his and Ferrari's performance was "strong" except for the failed pass for the lead.
"The result changes nothing -- we have a good car," he said. "I'm not worried. The big difference from last year is that we're fast enough for pole now. That was a problem before," added Vettel.
He said he feels for Bottas, agreeing that Baku "was his victory". "But that's the way it works in our sport," Vettel added. "For me the most important is that we have a good car. Now we have to make sure we keep having a good car." (GMM)
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Replies (7)
Login to replyreg
Posts: 162
Spot on Seb!
f1ski
Posts: 726
red mist is contagious
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
No reason not to be upbeat. He has had the fastest car in every track but Melbourne.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Agreed, and that isnt even a representative track.
blade
Posts: 341
The way this season is panning out - I think there will be many more weird events, twists and turns. Maybe there's something to be said for street circuits where safety cars are the norm - at least twice a race !
f1ski
Posts: 726
Vettel seems a bit desperate. Ferraris call for soft tire foolish. I thought surely they would have gone for the softer rubber at the stop and then on that restart. Perhaps Seb took a page out of verstappens playbook. I am surprised with the race strategy for Vettel last race opportunity thrown out this race as well. Perhaps he needs a meeting with Prost the greatest tactician ever.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It was a good idea, but it was wasted due to the safety car. I dont really think Vettel is the only one to blame for it either, looking at it, Ferrari hasnt been at their A game in terms of strategy these last years.