Vettel defends overtaking move on Verstappen

  • Published on 13 Apr 2019 10:05
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel has defended his overtaking manoeuvre on Max Verstappen at the Turn 14 hairpin during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.

As the pack prepared for their final laps in Q3, Vettel overtook the Dutchman in front of him, who was then also passed by the two Renaults.

Vettel says that he had to pass him or risk missing out on setting a timed lap, which was the fate that met Verstappen as well as teammate Pierre Gasly and the two Haas'.

“Obviously everybody timed it around the same so we all left for the same spot,” Vettel said after the session. “If you were at the end of the train, which I was, then it was quite difficult.

“When the team told me we only had 10 seconds margin to cross the line in time to make another attempt, I had to think of something.

"I don’t know if the others were not told if everyone would have sped up the way I did, then we should have all made it. But I obviously prioritised at that point to make the lap. It felt like others were not aware.”

Vettel ended the session in third place, marginally ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, securing a second-row lockout for Ferrari

Verstappen was frustrated by the incident, stating that he was "trying to be nice" during the session.

After missing out on pole position by three-tenths of a second, Vettel is targeting a return to winning ways on Sunday, but admits that Mercedes holds a big advantage through the corners.

“I think we had a good session, maybe there was a little bit more," he said. “I was actually quite happy I managed the final attempt because it was quite marginal on time.

“I think there was maybe a little bit more but not enough to beat these guys today. They are bloody quick in the corners. When we get close we have an advantage on the straight line so maybe we can do something there.”

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Max has brought more aggressivity to F1 so he has to accept it works for others too.

    • + 0
    • Apr 16 2019 - 06:30

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 19:04

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 19:04

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

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

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

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 1,480
  • Podiums 56
  • Grand Prix 161
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (38)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, DE
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar