Vettel confident of avoiding recent race-pace slumps in Brazil

  • Published on 16 Nov 2019 21:38
  • comments 0
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel has expressed hope that he will be able to fight for the Brazilian Grand Prix race win on Sunday.

In recent races, Ferrari has not been able to challenge for victories, as it has lost out due to poor race-pace despite showing strong form in qualifying.

On Saturday in Sao Paulo, Vettel secured a front-row start alongside Max Verstappen, who took his second career pole position. 

While Vettel affirmed that Ferrari's balance over a long-run looks better in Interlagos than recent races, the German affirmed that the team will need to ensure it successfully carries out the other aspects of the race.  

"We know that they [Red Bull] are very quick in the race as well," Vettel said. "We did improve our car but the key will be to have a good start and get ahead. 

"We [need to] make sure we manage the tyres, make the right call on strategy so we will see what happens tomorrow. We are racing here at Interlagos and for some reason, there is always something crazy happening. 

"It might rain tomorrow, even though it says sunshine, here you never know. We know the race for us is not as strong as qualifying but I was quite pleased with the balance.

"We, therefore, did another long-run this morning which felt better than yesterday, so that gives me hope for tomorrow."

Vettel: Ferrari was beaten 'fair and square' 

Speaking about his Saturday in Sao Paulo, Vettel says the team became more aggressive on Saturday morning which helped it after a "shy" Friday.

Vettel confessed he made a mistake during his fastest Q3 lap, but admits that the team was beaten "fair and square" following Verstappen's improvement on his second attempt. 

"I think we were a bit shy yesterday and more aggressive this morning and in qualifying it seemed to go up and get better, also the track ramped up.

"Obviously it's good to get the front row. I was having a very good attempt in Q3, I went a little bit wide at the final turn, I don't think I was the only one. 

"Max's second time was a bit far away, so we have to admit that we got beaten fair and square today. It was a bit of a surprise to see them that quick on the straights."

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