Sebastian Vettel says he has no qualms about Red Bull's tyre saving tactics in Spanish Grand Prix Q3
Sebastian Vettel remains hopeful that Red Bull Racing did the right thing in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix by deliberately saving tyres
With the German realising early on that he did not have the pace to fight for pole position, Vettel elected to conserve rubber in the final qualifying segment by not completing a flying lap.
And although that decision means that Vettel starts down in seventh on the grid - having gained one place from Lewis Hamilton's demotion to the back of the grid - he sees positives from the situation.
"I think it is never easy to come back to the front when you start behind, but we thought we were smarter to try to save some tyres," explained the world champion.
"I think a new set of tyres does give you some flexibility in the race and it will give you a bit of speed, so we will see if we can use that in the race."
The speed differential between the soft and hard compound rubber, allied to different degradation scales, means that strategy choices remain quite open for the race.
Vettel thinks that the tyre call is not straightforward, and that changeable weather conditions on Sunday could turn the formbook on its head too.
"I think everyone has a lot of homework to do," he said. "But I am pretty happy with the car. This has been our best weekend so far with consistency, but going into qualifying we didn't have the grip to get the maximum out of the tyre."
Previous article
Williams optimistic it can stay at front in Spanish Grand Prix as Pastor Maldonado gets pole
Next article
Marussia's Charles Pic keen to build on impressive start to his Formula 1 career
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Olivier Panis , Sebastian Vettel |
| Teams | Red Bull Racing |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
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
