Vettel: Ferrari can improve, but Mercedes 'very fast'

  • Published on 20 Sep 2019 19:17
  • comments 0
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari still has room to improve before Saturday's qualifying session at Singapore but is wary of Mercedes' "very fast" pace after Friday running. 

Vettel ended the second practice session in third place, over eight-tenths down on Lewis Hamilton, who set the pace in his Silver Arrow.

The high-downforce track is set to favour Mercedes over the course of the weekend, as downforce is an area that Ferrari has failed to be strong in this season.

"Hungary is the comparison, but today maybe is not the best day to compare," Vettel said. "Tomorrow will be more straightforward. On our side, I don't think it has been a clean Friday.

"We'll see, but I think Mercedes looks very fast and faster than us. There is probably more from us, but I would say that Mercedes left with the strongest impression today.

"I think we can still improve, the car is not yet doing what I want. I think in terms of balance we can improve. All the bits that we brought seem to work so that's positive news."

MOREFerrari brings new nose design to Singapore

Speaking about the tyres, Vettel says the race is expected to be a one-stop, but noted that the medium tyre didn't hold up very well during the opening day of running. 

"The soft is the tyre that we don't use so much. Obviously, it has great grip but it doesn't last so long, so let's see. 

"Today it wasn't that bad, the medium tyre actually wasn't much better so we'll see tomorrow. Tomorrow is all on the softs and then the race I guess we will all try to survive with one-stop and try to manage the race."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

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
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
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