Spanish GP: Sebastian Vettel says tyres only reason Red Bull lost
Sebastian Vettel is certain Red Bull's only deficit is in tyre management after slumping to fourth in the Spanish Grand Prix
The champion team could not keep its Pirellis intact as effectively as Ferrari and Lotus at Barcelona.
Fernando Alonso got ahead of Vettel in the first pit sequence, and the German later fell behind Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa as well.
Vettel insisted he was content with fourth place in the circumstances.
"I think we can be happy with fourth - or at least we have to be," he said.
"The first three cars were a little too fast for us and in looking after their tyres they did a better job today."
He is confident there is no lack of raw pace in the Red Bull.
"If you talk about race distances, then it's a different game," Vettel said.
"I think the car is quick enough, but there's something we do to the tyres to make them wear more.
"Three people did better today so we need to catch up. We are not going to the pace of the car, we are going to the pace of the tyre."
Vettel also believes Red Bull made a strategic mistake by initially trying to pull off a three-stop plan before resorting to four.
"I think we tried to hang on to the three-stop for too long in the race and had to admit towards the end we wouldn't make it," he said.
Previous article
Spanish GP: Felipe Massa still frustrated by qualifying penalty
Next article
Spanish GP: Kimi Raikkonen says fighting Fernando Alonso not worth it
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Olivier Panis , Sebastian Vettel |
| Teams | Red Bull Racing |
| Author | Matt Beer |
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
