An eighth place that tastes like victory for Vettel
A bold strategy allowed Vettel, as well as Aston Martin, to score their first points in 2022. An eighth place with a special taste for the four-time world champion.
In the grip of doubt at the start of the season, the German driver is clearly not having a good time. It is even said that he could retire at the end of the year!
But in Emilia-Romagna, Aston Martin makes a “triple” strike. The team based in Silverstone marks its first points, just like its two drivers.
« It’s like a victory for us »
Sebastian Vettel was one of the first to switch to slick tires. Once the checkered flag was crossed, when asked if his race was encouraging:
Yes, it was an encouraging race, it’s like a victory for us.
We are not the fastest on the field, we are even at the back of the pack, but today we had a good race.
He didn’t think he could fight with a Ferrari.
The German quadruple champion reflects on the bold strategy that helped him score his first points.
The weather helped us this weekend, but we also came up with a good strategy. We came back at the right time to put on slick tires, and then everyone copied us. But I was happy to have done a lap or two before.
He is also surprised to have been able to battle with the Ferrari towards the end of the race. After his spin, Charles Leclerc had to change the tires of his F1-75, which made him come out in 9th position, behind the Aston Martin #5. « If someone had told me at the beginning of the race that I would be fighting with a Ferrari four laps from the end, I wouldn’t have believed it »
The Ferrari being so superior to the other cars in the midfield, the Monégasque was able to finish the race in 6th position, overtaking Vettel just a few lengths before the finish line.
“I had no chance of keeping Charles behind me. He was two or three seconds faster per lap. But we did our best.”
“If someone had told me at the start of the race that I would be fighting with a Ferrari four laps from the end, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Apparently, morale is high among the English after an Italian weekend where both drivers managed to finish in the top 10. This rewards the team’s numerous efforts, as they have been facing significant difficulties since the winter testing in Bahrain.
