Sebastian Vettel speaks of a “good day for us” after Formula 1 Friday practice at the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring. And things actually went better for the four-time world champion than at the most recent race weekends: Vettel placed his Aston Martin AMR22 safely in the top 10 in seventh place.
Even more: With 1:19.253 minutes on soft tires, Vettel was only 0.808 seconds behind Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari best time, but lined up in front of the best-placed Mercedes and in front of Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull.
However, Vettel is not completely satisfied. It was a problem-free day for Aston Martin and “we were able to develop a good feeling for the car,” said Vettel. “But it still doesn’t fit the track that well in some places, so we still have work to do.”
Among other things, Vettel and Aston Martin are evaluating the new rear wing with strikingly bulky side end plates. But Vettel doesn’t want this new specification to be overrated: “But we’re not making a huge leap in performance with it.”
The rear wing “meets expectations,” says Vettel, nothing more. The new part doesn’t have much to do with being in the top ten. “We were probably just a bit more aggressive than on other Fridays,” said the German.
“Overall, however, it is good to see that the team is looking for things and solutions. But one would always wish that these solutions would achieve more,” explains Vettel, who also lost his Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season due to a lack of sporting prospects at Aston Martin -Career over as announced ahead of the weekend in Hungary.
Vettel wants to score points
What has he planned to do in the short term? “Points,” says Vettel frankly. “We just missed it last week. The goal from now on is to score points in every race.” So far in 2022 he has managed to do this in four out of ten races.
And he would love to start this series at the Hungaroring after a “good start to the weekend”, as he puts it. First of all, however, it is important to master Saturday, with probably rainy weather in the region. And Aston Martin has often looked bad recently.
Vettel: “If it gets wet, we really have to make sure we get everything sorted out, unlike the two recent occasions when qualifying was wet. So we still have homework to do and preparations to make.”
“Of course it would be a shame if it got so wet that we couldn’t drive. Then the people in the stands wouldn’t have such a great day. So keep your fingers crossed.”
Vettel does not expect a protest
Vettel is asked whether he secretly hopes that the competition will refrain from protesting the new Aston Martin rear wing? The ex-champion is very relaxed and simply denies. He has no worries there.
He is more concerned with the further events at the Hungaroring. “We know that Sunday will probably be dry. That will be the main focus,” says Vettel. “But we’re also preparing as best we can for Saturday, knowing that rain is coming.”