Ferrari, Vettel: “Podium difficult but not impossible”

Thanks to the three-place penalty on the starting grid due to the contact with Nico Rosberg at the start of Sepang, the Japanese Grand Prix promises to be an uphill battle for Sebastian Vettel. The Suzuka weekend did not start in the best way for the four-time world champion, who closed the Japanese Friday with the fifth fastest time behind the Mercedes of Rosberg and Hamilton, the twin Ferrari of Raikkonen and the Red Bull of Verstappen.

Despite the penalty and a Friday that was not optimal from a chronometric point of view, the German does not lose confidence for Sunday's race. On a technical and demanding track like Suzuka, Vettel is the active driver to have achieved the greatest number of successes (4).

"It was a good day for us – said Vettel in an interview with Formula1.com – There are no big problems, we are in line with our plans. Naturally we have to continue working on the car, especially on the balance. Today is only Friday and there is no strategy on our minds for the race".

"PAs regards the choice of tyres, I think we made the right decision – the German continues – It will be difficult to reach the podium, but we will try. On a fantastic track like this one in Suzuka, overtaking is difficult, but not impossible like in Monaco. Especially if there were to be variable weather conditions, as expected over the weekend. The rain could help us. Naturally the rain doesn't help those who start further back, but we just have to wait for the course of events".

Piero Ladisa