Vettel missing "last bit of confidence" with Aston Martin F1 car
Sebastian Vettel feels he needs to be more patient and wait for “that last bit of confidence” with Aston Martin’s Formula 1 car following his Q2 exit at Imola.
Vettel was eliminated in the second stage of qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after a close-fought session, ending up 13th despite lapping less than seven-tenths off the overall best time.
It marked Vettel’s second straight qualifying defeat to new Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll, who finished on the bubble in 10th place after lapping two-tenths faster.
Vettel explained after qualifying at Imola that he was still lacking total confidence in the Aston Martin AMR21 car following his arrival at the team over the winter and limited mileage thus far.
“We are obviously right in the midfield, and it’s very tight, so a couple of tenths could make a big difference,” Vettel said.
“I was happier with the feel of the car, but still missing maybe that last bit of confidence. Overall I think it’s getting better. As I said, it’s very tight, so we will see tomorrow.
“Maybe we’ll have a bit of rain that could help us.”
Vettel felt he “lost a little bit” on his final Q2 lap compared to his best effort, but conceded he was “not yet” feeling at one with the car.
“Obviously I’m not a very patient guy, so I don’t want to wait,” Vettel said.
“But it is getting a lot better. On a track like this in particular, you need the ultimate confidence to extract everything.
“I’m not yet there, but it’s only the second race, so I guess I have to be a bit more patient.”
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Vettel acknowledged that his lack of patience would “maybe at times” cause him to overdrive the car, but explained that the different car philosophy was causing him to take longer to get up to speed than with previous team switches.
“The car is quite different to what I was used to in the past,” Vettel said.
“There’s a couple of things, nowadays with tyres, and how you set up the car etc, can make quite a big difference.
“So that’s why I think it’s taking me maybe a bit longer than normal.
“Honestly in all fairness as well, for the ultimate tenths that you’re fighting in the midfield, then you see the consequence straight away.”
Norris annoyed after he "effed it all up" in Q3 for F1 Emilia Romagna GP
Bottas "couldn’t trust rear-end" of Mercedes car in Imola Q3
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
Suzuka’s Turn 2 kerbs go black and yellow for Vettel bee project
Suzuka’s Turn 2 kerbs go black and yellow for Vettel bee project Suzuka’s Turn 2 kerbs go black and yellow for Vettel bee project
Verstappen reveals Vettel vote of confidence in F1 win record bid
Verstappen reveals Vettel vote of confidence in F1 win record bid Verstappen reveals Vettel vote of confidence in F1 win record bid
The new rules Red Bull disappointment that ended Vettel's F1 reign
The new rules Red Bull disappointment that ended Vettel's F1 reign The new rules Red Bull disappointment that ended Vettel's F1 reign
FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium
FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium
Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule
Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
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.