Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel from Aston Martin explained why he believes he has a chance of scoring points in the first Miami Grand Prix even from 13th place on the grid.
“There was more to it,” says Sebastian Vettel after Formula 1 qualifying in Miami. In fact, the four-time world champion was only 0.127 seconds short of progressing to the third segment in Q2. But a “little wobble” prevented that, says Vettel. That’s why he doesn’t start from the top 10 in the first Miami Grand Prix, but from position 13.
The “wobble” mentioned happened during Vettel’s final attempt in Q2, when he braced himself against being eliminated. In the chicane before the second back straight, he “took a bit too much risk,” he explains to “Sky”.
In the Aston Martin AMR22 he arrived with “a little too much speed”. “I tried to brake harder, but that didn’t work. Then I ran out of road and then I was too late, didn’t hit the apex. That not only messed up the chicane, but also the corners after it.”
“But I lost the main time in the narrow chicane. That,” says Vettel, “cost me my participation in Q3.”
Stroll makes it into Q3 in Miami
But that doesn’t have to mean that Aston Martin is behind in the race. Vettel’s teammate Lance Stroll has won the comparison with Vettel and is tenth in the fifth Formula 1 race of the season. Points could therefore be possible for Aston Martin.
Does Vettel think a top 10 result in the Grand Prix is realistic? “Let’s see,” said the German. “I mean, we’re not doing that badly. I think we had the pace in qualifying to be somewhere in the top 10, so that could be okay.”
In general, Aston Martin is doing better than expected in Miami, and that “comes a bit surprising,” as Vettel admits. Because Aston Martin is one of the teams that traveled to North America without any updates. Vettel only wants to take stock after the race: “Hopefully we can [die Form im Grand Prix] to confirm.”
What Vettel expects from the race
Above all, Vettel expects a fight against the elements over the race distance in Miami. The forecast air temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius are likely to be “the biggest challenge,” he says.
It remains to be seen whether the track can allow for many duels and overtaking scenes. Off the line, the Miami International Autodrome offers little grip. “It seemed better to me today. I hope it will be a bit better for Sunday,” says Vettel.
“If that’s okay, then we can overtake well. If not, then it will be difficult. Then there is that one clean line.” And a racing driver is reluctant to leave it.