Vettel: Daniel Ricciardo beats me fair and square

Sebastian Vettel did not look like the best of days at the press conference after qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix played in the rain. The world champion had just been beaten by his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian took the first row with half a tenth ahead of the second Red Bull. If the pill is hard to swallow for the German, he recognizes the qualities of his new teammate.

“Daniel does a very good job.”, admits the four-time world champion. “He is not only good over one weekend but at all events and he therefore seems to be able to exploit the full potential of the car. I may be suffering a little more on my side, but we finally have the same car. If he succeeds in beating me, he will beat me fair and square. This is obviously not what I want but I know I have to do a little better. »

The Red Bull driver hopes unlike the drivers Mercedes to benefit from rainy weather for the Chinese Grand Prix, the RB10s being closer to the performance of the W05s in these conditions. “I think we're a little luckier with the rain. (The Mercedes) remain rather efficient in the dry. Even though I think the weather will remain dry, we will still give it a try. We are in the best position to put pressure on them. »

The start of the Chinese Grand Prix will be given tomorrow at 9 a.m. French time. Photos of the tests can be found on this link.