user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Vettel's form grinds to a halt in Abu Dhabi

Vettel's form grinds to a halt in Abu Dhabi

  • Published on 03 Nov 2012 17:08
  • comments 0
  • By: Danny Sosef
Sebastian Vettel's run of superb form came to a grinding halt in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Crucially, the championship leader is ahead of his title rival Fernando Alonso on the grid, enquiring of a reporter immediately after qualifying third: "Is he (Alonso) sixth?"

But it has been far from smooth sailing in the desert heat. Red Bull is struggling to keep up with pole sitter Lewis Hamilton's McLaren, and Vettel was also outpaced on Saturday afternoon by his own teammate, Mark Webber.

Earlier, Vettel was stuck in the pits in the important third practice session with a serious brake problem, and right at the end of qualifying, he pulled to the side of the track.

"I don't know why," he said. "I was asked to stop."

Team boss Christian Horner revealed that engine, KERS and alternator supplier Renault ordered the stoppage, but paddock speculation suggested Vettel may have simply run out of fuel -- which will send him right to the back of Sunday's grid.

"There was a request (from Renault) but at the moment I don't know why," Horner told the BBC.

It should be noted that Renault's problems with its 2012 alternators have been well documented this year, and the French marque's Remy Taffin confirmed in Abu Dhabi that an all-new specification will not be ready to debut until Austin.

"That's the work we've achieved so far, that's where we are," he said on Friday.

Technical troubles aside, Vettel is the championship contender looking most under pressure in Abu Dhabi, with commentators saying he made more mistakes on Saturday than he has for several entire race weekends.

Asked on Saturday about Vettel's problems in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari's Alonso admitted: "In terms of our championship hopes, it always helps." (GMM)
F1 News Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Ferrari McLaren Renault

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Pos
Team
Points
1
McLaren
666
2
Ferrari
652
3
Red Bull Racing
589
4
Mercedes
468
5
Aston Martin
94
6
Alpine F1
65
7
Haas F1
58
8
Visa Cash App RB
46
9
Williams
17
10
Sauber
4
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

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 2024
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21 2024
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

ES Fernando Alonso 14
  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 572
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 168
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Ferrari
Ferrari
Show full profile
show sidebar