Vettel: Ferrari 'in the ballpark' at Interlagos

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel believes that the Scuderia outfit is in the competitive ballpark at Interlagos. Vettel failed to top either of the Friday practice sessions, however ended both less than a tenth away from the pace-setters.

Vettel saw his championship hopes extinguished last time in Mexico, where rival Lewis Hamilton was crowned a five-time champion. Vettel has not won a race since Belgium, but looked to be competitive compared to the two Mercedes' and his teammate during the long run pace.

“The car has been OK but not good yet, so there is still some work to do,” Vettel said. “I think, especially come Sunday when it supposed to be hotter, it could be a tricky one for tyres. It was already tricky for us today. We are in the ballpark but we can still launch forward from where we are.”

Vettel had minor issues throughout the session, as a loose screw rattled around his feet. It prompted the cheeky radio message: "There's something loose between my legs, apart from the obvious. Something around my feet. I'd be proud if it was what you think it is, but it's not." 

Speaking after the session, Vettel laughed: "I said what I had to said but I thought maybe it came out wrong, so I made the joke. I don’t know, I thought it was funny. But we found it in the end, it was a little screw."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,566
  • Podiums 133
  • Grand Prix 234
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar