Brazilian GP: Vettel not focused on Alonso's position for the race
Sebastian Vettel said his main focus after Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying was on figuring out where he had lost time in Q3 rather than on being four places clear of Formula 1 championship rival Fernando Alonso
Vettel and Alonso will start fourth and eighth respectively. Those positions make Alonso's task of overturning a 13-point deficit look tough.
But asked if the championship situation was the biggest thing on his mind, Vettel replied: "Not too much. I've just come out of qualifying knowing I could have done a little bit better. I'm keen to go back now and look at the data and see where I wasn't quick enough."
Vettel had been fastest in Q2 before making a mistake on his first Q3 lap and then missing pole by 0.302 seconds on his second. His team-mate Mark Webber took third behind the McLarens.
"Q3 was not 100 per cent perfect. Q2 was quite good for us," said Vettel.
"The first run in Q3 was not good for me as I did a mistake going into Turn 4.
"The second run I was pretty happy with it but it wasn't quick enough."
But he remains confident he will be a factor at the front in the race.
"Obviously Mark was a bit quicker, but I think we are in good shape and we've competitive all weekend," Vettel said.
Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa starts just one place behind Vettel in fifth, but the Red Bull insisted this did not bother him in the slightest.
"There are always going to be cars around you," Vettel said. "It would be boring if it were just me on the grid. I think that's pretty normal. We have mirrors on the car but we try not to use them too much."
CHAMPIONSHIP PERMUTATIONS
VETTEL WINS THE TITLE IF:
- He finishes in the top four
- He finishes fifth, sixth or seventh and Alonso doesn't win
- He finishes eighth or ninth and Alonso is third or lower
- He finishes 10th or worse and Alonso isn't on the podium
ALONSO WINS THE TITLE IF:
- He wins and Vettel is fifth or lower
- He is second and Vettel eighth or lower
- He is third and Vettel is 10th or lower
Previous article
Brazilian GP: Caterham Saturday quotes
Next article
Brazilian GP: Poleman Lewis Hamilton expects rain lottery
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Fernando Alonso , Sebastian Vettel |
| Author | Dan Cross |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
