1
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.”
Grand Prix of ChinaLocal time
Grand Prix of ChinaLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Testing
M. Verstappen
G. Russell
255,692 comments on Ferrari
63 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Sebastian Vettel
384,076 comments on Ferrari 221 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Ferrari
Spain
Spain
Bahrain
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Australia
Albert Park
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
France
Paul Ricard
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Germany
Hockenheimring
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Russian
Sochi Autodrom
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Brazil
Interlagos
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (1)
Login to replyRam Samartha
Posts: 580
Max has brought more aggressivity to F1 so he has to accept it works for others too.