Vettel, the calm strength: reactions from the top 3 at Hockenheim!
The German driver enjoyed himself against the clock and in front of his audience. All in serenity, as his words show us! Also discover the reactions of Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen, who finished second and third respectively at the end of the qualifying session.
At the moment, everything seems to be going Sebastian Vettel’s way. Helped by Lewis Hamilton’s retirement in Austria and the latter’s collision at the start in Silverstone, the German did not have the chance to fight him during these German qualifications. The fault lies with a new hydraulic failure of the rival Mercedes, in the last lap of Q1.
The local hero had not yet delivered the bulk of his effort. Second in Q1 behind Räikkönen, four tenths off Bottas in Q2, Sebastian Vettel attacked right from the first lap of Q3. The difference is astonishing: a whole second better! He even had more to give, to borrow a cycling metaphor: three tenths ahead and a pole reclaimed from Bottas, the fleeting poleman under the checkered flag. What could be better than succeeding like this in front of his home crowd?
« Today was one of the best days of my career! It was great to see so many German flags », Vettel, a fulfilled man, said as he got out of the car, speaking to David Coulthard’s microphone.
As often in 2018, the pole time is also the absolute track record. The driver tells us the secrets of his new performance.
« With the car, I felt from Q1 that I could do it. It just got better and better. I knew in the last lap that I could go even faster. I managed to make it happen! I am very happy » summarizes a poleman decidedly sure of his strength. However, he did not fail to have a word for Lewis Hamilton.
« I never wish bad luck or a technical problem on my opponent. It’s unfortunate that he was eliminated so early! » Vettel, however, can savor the moment. Like Hamilton, he is on pole position for his national Grand Prix, well-placed to secure his first victory at Hockenheim, having already won at the Nürburgring in 2013 with Red Bull. He just needs to avoid a similar start.
No place like home 😍
5⃣th pole of the season for Sebastian Vettel, and 5⃣5⃣th of his career 💪#GermanGP 🇩🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/SNb0DzdECV
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 21, 2018
From his side, Valtteri Bottas stated that he couldn’t do much better at the end of his Q3.
« It was a good lap », said the Finn, referring to the strength of Vettel and Ferrari. No regrets, however, for the former Williams driver, who even set the fastest time by completing his last lap before Vettel arrived. « I gave it my all and unfortunately, they were a bit too fast today. » After Spain, Canada, and France, the driver bearing the number 77 will start from the second position on the grid in 2018.
His opinion on the race is as follows: « the start will be crucial tomorrow. But with the race pace predictions, I think we’ll be close. » Everything is still possible for the one who has not yet won in 2018, hardly fortunate so far.
Third this Saturday, Kimi Räikkönen continues his streak, as he will start from the same position as in Austria and Canada. Definitely, the 2007 world champion doesn’t seem to be able to go higher. He is once again performing a notch below Sebastian Vettel, after a final lap marked by a small mistake with significant consequences. A sense of déjà vu in the statements of the driver nicknamed “Iceman.”
« I made a mistake and went beyond the track. Obviously, there were better things to do today, but it didn’t materialize. »
Grandi ragazzi!! #GermanGP #Seb5 #Kimi7 #Quali pic.twitter.com/Wf5ZNkcwGL
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 21 juillet 2018
