Austria: Vettel only 11th on the grid, caught out by oversteer
11th at the end of qualifying, Sebastian Vettel was eliminated in Q2 this Saturday in Austria. A symbol of the current aerodynamic difficulties of Scuderia Ferrari. A modest 7th place also for Charles Leclerc, far from Bottas and Hamilton.
It is now clear: the new Ferrari lacks grip and aerodynamic downforce. A poor chassis for the SF1000, a fact highlighted this Saturday by the surprise elimination of Sebastian Vettel in Q2! Finishing 11th and being beaten fair and square by Albon’s Red Bull and the other Ferrari, driven by Leclerc, the German is going through a tough period, continuing with his departure from Maranello at the end of this 2020 season.
In Austria, this Saturday, Sebastian Vettel did not expect such a poor performance during the qualifiers. “Of course, it’s a surprise,” indicated the driver #5 after getting out of his car right after Q2, a first under normal conditions since… the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2015! The German was indeed eliminated right after Q1 in Germany last year, but that was due to a turbo issue encountered with his car.
« We thought we were a little better but the others probably drove with a bit more fuel during free practice » analyzed the German driver on the spot, « not happy with the car. »
« I had more oversteer on entry than I would have wanted » he conceded as a central element of his poor qualifying.
Only advantage, Vettel will start with soft or medium tires this Sunday, in any case with the tires of his choice. The four-time world champion is still hoping: « I think that tomorrow (Editor’s note: Sunday) is a different picture. Maybe the track will be hotter and it will be more costly for them (Editor’s note: his opponents). It’s a long race and we are better in race pace. I think we can score big points. »
Vettel: I had more oversteer on entry than I would have liked.
“Not an easy session” for Leclerc either, only 7th
On his side, Charles Leclerc still made it past Q2 (only in 10th place), but the Monegasque fought with Albon’s Red Bull and even the two McLaren or Racing Point drivers, the surprises of the qualifying session. 7th place in the end in the first Q3 of 2020 and nearly a second gap (+0.984) behind Bottas, the poleman.
« It wasn’t an easy session for us. Unfortunately, that’s how it is for now. But we have to stay positive for the moment. I think it’s the way to move forward and work well, to get through these difficult times. »
Charles Leclerc still has a little hope, but his 2020 race is likely to be less exciting than last year: in 2019, he fought for victory, relinquishing the first place two laps before the end, after a tough battle with Max Verstappen.
But beyond Sunday’s race, Ferrari’s suffering may continue, with a second qualifying session next week at the Red Bull Ring, and updates that will only arrive for the third race in Hungary in two weeks.
