F1 | Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel: “We failed to exploit the potential of the car”

Exactly ten years ago Sebastian Vettel won what would kick off a winning era with Red Bull, his first career world title. The title, won in Abu Dhabi, was contested until the last race of the season with teammate Mark Webber and Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso. Even Lewis Hamilton, although far away, was still fighting for victory. However, it was Sebastian himself who came out on top among them all, and getting into Q3 today would have been a nice way to celebrate this important anniversary. Unfortunately, however, the strategies once again had a hand in it, and together with the pouring rain, blocked the two Ferraris in Q2.

Sebastian Vettel will start from twelfth position, for the first time this year ahead of teammate Leclerc, today fourteenth. The German risked not making it to Q2, after the red flag caused by the impracticability of the track: the team recommended the use of full wet tyres, but Sebastian insisted on intermediate tyres, managing to make the cut for Q2. It's a shame, however, that the Ferraris didn't maintain the positive trend shown in free practice. Of course, several drivers, like Hamilton, did little or nothing during the free practice, but the numbers in the standings certainly gave the red fans hope.

"Our problem today was managing to get the tires up to temperature, and in a situation like today's even a few degrees can make a huge difference – explained the four-time world champion – unfortunately we were not able to exploit the potential of the car and in this sense I think the Extreme Wet tires were the worst compound for us. Certainly today the car was worth more than 12th place, but not in similar track conditions".

"Tomorrow however, despite being in the middle of the pack, the race promises to be interesting precisely because of the characteristics of the asphalt which I believe are unprecedented, even if in Austin in 2012, with the surface just redone, we had seen something similar. Yesterday the dry sessions were very difficult but also fun.
It is clear that it will not be easy for us, but I am convinced that there is the possibility of recovering from the position from which we start".