Vettel: Alonso "a bit aggressive" in last corner fight in Japanese GP
Sebastian Vettel says his old Formula 1 rival Fernando Alonso “was a bit aggressive” in their fight for sixth place at the final chicane in Suzuka.
Alonso was catching Vettel after a late pitstop for a fresh set of inters gave him a significant pace advantage over rivals, allowing him to regain the places he had lost with the stop.
Vettel was the next in line and on the final lap Alonso dived down the inside into the right-handed first part of the chicane. As he bounced off the kerb Vettel held his ground on the outside and held the advantage into the second left-hand turn.
The pair then accelerated down the hill to the finish line side-by-side, with Vettel ultimately staying in front by 0.011s.
Co-incidentally they had been involved in an incident at the start, with a touch from Alonso sending Vettel into a spin.
With little to lose having dropped to the back for the restart after the red flag Vettel took a gamble and pitted to change from wets to inters at the first opportunity. It paid off, jumping him up the field.
“It was very, very close,” Vettel said of the Alonso fight when asked by Autosport. “He was a bit aggressive, I would say.
“There was a bit of a confusion because I lost radio and I looked at the pit board, and I think race direction changed their mind of how long the race is going to go, and I didn't know. I think we got away with it.”
Regarding the first-lap incident he said: “We did touch. I went to the left because he had a poor start, and I had a good start.
“Then I got a lot of wheel slip and some aquaplaning and sort of lost the car, and then touched, and lost the car entirely. But then we had a great recovery in the end.”
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin AMR22, Fernando Alonso, Alpine A522
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Vettel said the possibility of an early switch to inters at the restart had been discussed before the resumption.
“Yeah, we spoke about it before. The team worked something out. And I made the call judging the conditions, but it worked really well.”
Having finished seventh in Singapore the previous weekend Vettel also said he’d really enjoyed getting another solid result in his last Japanese GP.
“Yeah, we dragged the car up to where probably doesn't belong. Even splitting the Alpines, which are a lot faster than us. We managed to hang in there, so I really enjoyed the weekend. And I love everything about this place.”
Asked if it was good to get strong results in the final races of his career and counter any suggestions that he's easing off, he said: “In the big picture, it doesn't matter. It only matters to me.
“I obviously live for results for winning, and I have all my life. It will be a change, but I'm happy that I had a great run around here in particular.”
Verstappen: Second F1 title win feels ‘even more beautiful’ than maiden crown
10 things we learned at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Why WTR Acura lacked pace to beat MSR in Daytona 24 showdown
Filipe Albuquerque admits that he knew it would be a tall order for Wayne Taylor Racing to overcome sister Acura squad Meyer Shank Racing in last weekend's Daytona 24 Hours.
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
After much anticipation, the new dawn for sportscar racing got underway with a result that mirrored last year's IMSA SportsCar Championship's season-opener run to the previous DPi rules. Here's how Acura once again took top honours in the Daytona 24 Hours with a 1-2 led by Meyer Shank Racing, as the new GTP class for LMDh hybrid prototypes made its bow
Alonso's pushy trait a boost for me in 2023 F1 season, says Stroll
Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll says Fernando Alonso's pushy nature will be a boost to both him and the squad this year.
Porsche aims to “learn quick” from Daytona 24 Hours disappointment
Porsche’s director of factory racing Urs Kuratle says his team will gain valuable answers from its disappointing results in the Daytona 24 Hours.
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
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.