Vettel, qualifying in the form of a farewell to Suzuka

Very emotional on the radio after his last qualifying lap on the Suzuka track, Sebastian Vettel recalled his love for the Japanese circuit. The German, qualified in Q3 on Saturday, was divided between joy and sadness.

Published on 08/10/2022 à 13:46

Dorian Grangier

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Vettel, qualifying in the form of a farewell to Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel had his last qualifying session at Suzuka in Formula 1 © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

It's only Saturday and yet the emotions are already present for Sebastian Vettel. The German driver delivered a true declaration of love to the Suzuka circuit, during his deceleration lap on the radio with his team. “I really loved this ride. This track is so much better than all the others. 'Arigato gozaimasu', Suzuka! (Thank you very much, Suzuka!) Thank you! I will miss this place. »

Sebastian Vettel also paid a nice tribute to Suzuka with his performance on the track. For the first time since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the German managed to enter Q3. The pilot Aston Martin will start from 9th place on Sunday, for the Japanese Grand Prix. A qualifying session that the future retiree from F1 took the time to appreciate. “Tricks like this not only make me regret [my retirement] because I'm looking forward to what's to come, but they make me a little sad that it's the last time.”, declared Sebastian Vettel after the session.

The Heppenheim native described the sensations aboard the AMR22 for his final qualifying rounds on the Japanese track. “We are far from first place but the feeling in the car is something special when the fuel is low and the tires are new. It's on Saturday that here you are most alive in the car because you are faster. I will never go that fast tomorrow, because in a race you have no new tires and almost no fuel in the car. It will be different. »

Vettel aims for points for last at Suzuka

Regarding the race, the four-time world champion is ambitious. With potentially unfavorable weather, Sebastian Vettel hopes that his last outing at Suzuka will be favorable to him, Aston Martin having opted for a very turned rear wing which could bear fruit in the wet. “I think tomorrow will be crucial for tire management, but we could have rain too, so we will see, said the German pilot.We have nothing to lose. Obviously it's tight in the constructors' championship and we want to score points. On paper it's probably not the best circuit for us, but we had a good day, so why not do it again tomorrow [Sunday]? »

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Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

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