Vettel: “We had to annoy Mercedes”

Sebastian Vettel came to the end of Mercedes W08 from Lewis Hamilton et Valtteri Bottas at the Bahrain GP. It was at the start that the pilot of the Team Ferrari built its victory by placing itself between the Silver Arrows of pole sitter Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton.

“It was essential for us to be in between and not allow them to race alone in the lead. We had to piss them off, commented Sebastian Vettel. We more or less made the same start. Lewis found himself blocked by Valtteri and I was able to take my chance. I was able to stay in Valtteri's rhythm during the first stint. It was a good start. My pace was the key to victory. »

Vettel took advantage of Hamilton's penalty

Sebastian Vettel took advantage of the 5s penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton for having slowed down too much at the entrance to the pits following the exit of the safety car entered after the accident Lance stroll (Williams) and Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso).

“I had a good lead in my last stint and I had a safety margin with Lewis' penalty, admitted Sebastian Vettel. I tried to manage my lead, but he was very fast when he came out of the pits. I expected it to be faster, but not as much. »

Sebastian Vettel now has a 7-point lead over Lewis Hamilton after the Bahrain GP.

Discover the analysis of the Bahrain Grand Prix carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2110 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.