After describing his Ferrari SF1000 as “not drivable” during the Austrian Grand Prix and turning after contact with Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Vettel said he was “happy” to be alone in the wrong direction once on his way to a tenth place. in the low place. Season opener.
Vettel qualified as a disappointing 11th in Austria, but had reached eighth in the first Safety Car period to tantalizingly train with the McLaren Sainz: the man set out to replace him at Ferrari in 2021. But when the German attempted a very late onslaught Inside the Spaniard at Turn 3 on Lap 31, he blocked a wheel and ended up facing oncoming traffic.
READ MORE: Bottas defeats Leclerc and Norris to win the dramatic Austrian GP while Hamilton is penalized
“Well, to be honest, I’m happy to have toured only once,” Vettel supposed after the race, “it was very difficult.” It got really tight and I think Carlos, I think it was Carlos, I don’t know, one of the McLarens, turned and was on the edge because he wanted to be as close as possible and I lost the rear.
“To be honest, I lost the rear a couple of times today, so yes, as I said, I’m happy that it happened only once …”
2020 Austrian Grand Prix: Vettel touring after contact with Sainz
While Vettel struggled, teammate Charles Leclerc was able to take a surprising P2 finish. When asked if he felt his Ferrari could be more compatible with next weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix on the same track, Vettel replied: “We don’t know. We need to take a look, but, sure, the car was very difficult today.
READ MORE: ‘P2 feels like victory’ – Leclerc hails Austria’s recovery as one of his best races
“I did the best I could, obviously the Safety Cars helped us, in the end it was quite entertaining, but it was not the result I wanted,” he concluded.
Vettel’s 10th place was his first finish in that position at 241 Grands Prix, although that is not a milestone he will celebrate …
