Vettel holds hands up over costly mistake

  • Published on 06 Oct 2018 09:39
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel has conceded that he made a mistake on his first run during the final session in qualifying. The German first came out onto the circuit with the green-walled intermediate tyres fitted to his Ferrari as there was some rain at the end of Q2.

However, it was quickly apparent that the circuit was better suited to dry tyres. Both Vettel and his teammate Kimi Raikkonen returned to the pitlane immediately to have the super soft compound attached to their cars, before setting off on their hot laps.

But both men made a mistake at the same point on the circuit, coming around the long left-hander of the Spoon Curve. They both hit a damp patch which threw them off line, ruining their laps. Raikkonen crossed the line to jump into fourth, but Vettel could only manage ninth.

"I think the first run was okay, I made a mistake at Spoon and lost most of the time there," the four-time world champion said. "For the second run, we didn't make it out in time because the rain came and we were too late."

Ferrari brought Vettel back in for a fresh set of super soft tyres, but the rain then began to fall, solidifying Vettel's P9 starting position. The former Red Bull driver admits it's not going to be easy to come back from further down, but is confident he can make it happen.

"Obviously, it's not the position we deserve to be in, we have better speed than ninth," he stated. "But we start from there so we'll just see how it goes. Anything can happen tomorrow, its a new day, it's not easy when you start further back but it's not impossible."

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • blade

    Posts: 341

    He's feeling the pressure, feel for him in a way, but if you're paid the big bucks you have to deliver - and he isn't. It's hard, but it's also true - how many races now has he single handedly cocked up? I suspect he could also be outshone by CLC when he arrives - for such a young kid he seems incredibly mature and is putting in some great drives for AR.

    • + 0
    • Oct 6 2018 - 20:14

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 1,480
  • Podiums 56
  • Grand Prix 161
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (37)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, DE
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar