Sebastian Vettel “taken by surprise” by puncture

Credited with 20 margin units on Lewis Hamilton before this British Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel clearly did not expect to see his advantage almost reduced to nothing this Sunday at Silverstone.

Author of a cautious start, leaving his third place at the start to Max Verstappen (Red Bull), the pilot Ferrari waited for the pit stops to regain his momentum against the Dutchman. Unable to join his teammate Kimi Räikkönen, the German seemed to be heading towards the podium before seeing Valtteri Bottas pounce on him at the end of the race.

With a fourth place allowing him to limit the damage, Vettel could have been satisfied with this result before a puncture on the left front at the end of the race forcing him to enter the pits before finishing seventh under the checkered flag.

« I don't think anyone is responsible, admits the quadruple world champion, quoted by Sky Sports. So far it seemed good. Kimi had a similar problem and his tires were at least five, six laps fresher. It took us by surprise.

The weekend could have been a little better, but it's not a disaster. We had a good car, especially in the corners, the balance was good. The brakes caught fire at the start and from there it was a tough race. It looked like third or fourth place, and it was clear that Valtteri would pass because I was very slow. Little things here and there led to a very intense afternoon. »

Before the next Grand Prix in Hungary at the end of the month, Sebastian Vettel only has a small point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the championship.

Find the report and analysis of the British Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents at Silverstone, in issue 2123 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.