F1 Bahrain GP: Sebastian Vettel says he struggled for rhythm
Sebastian Vettel blamed a lack of race rhythm and ill-handling rear end on his Ferrari for the errors that cost him a Formula 1 podium in the Bahrain Grand Prix
The Ferrari driver had been Mercedes' main threat in the early stages of the race, but several off-track excursions proved costly in losing him ground.
His hopes of a top three finish were dashed when a trip across the gravel on the exit of the final corner during a battle with Nico Rosberg damaged his front wing and forced him to pit for a replacement.
After finishing fifth, Vettel admitted that he had never felt fully comfortable during the Sakhir event.
"I was probably pushing very hard and did some mistakes," he said. "I think all in all, not a perfect race.
"Obviously, I did not get in to the rhythm and lost positions when it [was important] not to lose positions for the overall race.
"That lost us some time and in the end with the damage on the front wing we had to go again [in the pits] and lost a lot of track time."
BOTTAS TOO TOUGH TO PASS
After getting stuck behind fourth place finisher Valtteri Bottas late on, Vettel said that his lack of confidence with the rear end was a big problem.
"In general today I was struggling a bit with the rear end of the car," he said.
"Corner exits is where you need to make it stick and I was very vulnerable for Nico to get a good exit compared to me.
"Then I wasn't very good in getting a good exit compared to Valtteri.
"Once I was in DRS it was always too late to do something.
"He did a good job defending and not doing any mistakes, I could not get close enough to do something."
Despite his first non-podium finish of the year, Vettel said there was still every reason to be happy with the progress Ferrari was making.
"Overall it is still a very big surprise for everyone how good we are and how strong we are, that is very positive," he explained.
"We had a very strong weekend. Obviously the target is to catch Mercedes from where we are.
"We seem to be the team right behind them, but when I say behind them, there is still a bit of a gap.
"There is plenty of stuff that we need to do and need to improve, and that is where my focus is."
F1 Bahrain GP: Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen promises more to come
F1 Bahrain GP: No 'dramatic' problem with Jenson Button's McLaren
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
The factors behind Vettel’s priority shift in his final F1 chapter
The factors behind Vettel’s priority shift in his final F1 chapter The factors behind Vettel’s priority shift in his final F1 chapter
The decisive steps in Vettel’s Ferrari F1 disappointments
The decisive steps in Vettel’s Ferrari F1 disappointments The decisive steps in Vettel’s Ferrari F1 disappointments
How Vettel put in the hard yards to exploit Red Bull’s F1 potential
How Vettel put in the hard yards to exploit Red Bull’s F1 potential How Vettel put in the hard yards to exploit Red Bull’s F1 potential
Horner: Red Bull has to “make hay” before rivals catch up
Horner: Red Bull has to “make hay” before rivals catch up Horner: Red Bull has to “make hay” before rivals catch up
Rast, Ricky Taylor combine at Tower LMP2 team for Le Mans 24 Hours
Rast, Ricky Taylor combine at Tower LMP2 team for Le Mans 24 Hours Rast, Ricky Taylor combine at Tower LMP2 team for Le Mans 24 Hours
Why Saudi Arabia is not put off by its F1 critics
Why Saudi Arabia is not put off by its F1 critics Why Saudi Arabia is not put off by its F1 critics
Stegelmann joins AlphaTauri F1 as head of commercial
Stegelmann joins AlphaTauri F1 as head of commercial Stegelmann joins AlphaTauri F1 as head of commercial
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.