Vettel admits Ferrari is on the back foot

Sebastian Vettel says that Ferrari has a lot of work to do overnight in order to catch up to Mercedes, who streaked ahead of the Maranello outfit in free practice. After topping the opening practice session on Friday morning, Ferrari couldn't get close to the Silver Arrows during FP2.

Vettel's fastest time during the second session was only good enough for P5, and he was half a second down on Lewis Hamilton's pace-setting lap. Despite assumptions that Ferrari were favourites heading into the weekend, Vettel says that the Italian squad needs to improve in order to come out on top.

"Obviously we looked quite far away from the rest of the field, so [it's] not ideal. I think [we were] struggling a bit for one lap pace, but also in the long runs," Vettel said following the running on Friday.

"I think we went through our tyres a bit harder and quicker than the rest, so we need to have a look. But also just looking at ourselves, it wasn't a good day in terms of feel for the car. I think there’s more that we need to go to," the four-time world champion added.

Vettel spun his Ferrari towards the end of the session and was heard complaining over the radio about the traffic he encountered on multiple occasions. However, the German says that the disruptions didn't make a difference to Ferrari's pace.

"That’s Friday for you, sometimes you have a better Friday, sometimes not. I think for us it wasn’t a particularly clean run in the end, but still good enough," Vettel said. "I think as I said, we struggled with the tyres with or without traffic. Certainly the traffic doesn’t help. But I think we have some catching up to do."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Nope they are sandbagging

    • + 0
    • Sep 28 2018 - 23:07
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    i think they are struggling. mercedes has upped the oil burn rate and too has the split battery

    • + 0
    • Sep 29 2018 - 04:26

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

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 - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,533
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 232
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, United Kingdom
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar