Vettel surprised by Pirelli F1 tyre life in Canadian Grand Prix

Vettel stormed into the lead at the start of the race, getting the jump on both Mercedes drivers as the lights went out.

But with Ferrari believing a one-stop race would not be possible, Vettel pitted early for a middle stint on super-softs before taking the mandatory soft compound, while Hamilton made a one-stop race work to win.

Speaking about two-stopping, Vettel said: "That was the plan, we committed fairly early.

"It was probably the right thing to do in terms of getting to the chequered flag the quickest way.

"We lost track position - we didn't expect the tyres would last so long.

"I was surprised how long the super-soft lasted and then the soft lasted until the end - we could have kept going on it.

"Degradation wasn't as high as expected, maybe that is where we lost the race."

Vettel also dismissed comparisons to the Australian Grand Prix , where Ferrari's tyre strategy during a red flag period cost him victory.

"[The comparison] is not true - in Australia, with hindsight, you do a different strategy," he said.

"[Today] we committed early hoping the virtual safety car [which ended as he pitted] gives us an advantage and makes a two-stop favourable.

"I will always defend our strategies. Others favoured two stops [as well], with hindsight maybe they would do it different.

"Put yourself on the pitwall, to make that decision is tricky.

"I wouldn't criticise the team because the guys are on the money and reacting very well."