F1
Vettel: “I think I respected” the team strategy
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) did not see the finish of the 2019 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, yet the four-time world champion left his mark on the scenario of this event.
Discussed during the briefing, the Reds' team strategy was to allow Sebastian Vettel to benefit from the aspiration offered by the pole sitter Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in the long straight towards the first braking.
However, the German has gained the upper hand over his Monegasque teammate! While Charles Leclerc was fuming in his cockpit, Sebastian Vettel's chief engineer ordered him to let his pursuer pass on the track. What the wearer of No. 5 did not do, faster it is true than Charles Leclerc in the race relay.
“As a general rule, we just want to make sure we are in front of the Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel justified himself. Jgot off to a much better start than that of Lewis Hamilton. I found myself in the lead quite quickly.
I had a good flight and I think I kept my end of the deal. Then I felt comfortable, I was able to consolidate my lead. I want to talk about it with the team, not here (in the media area. Editor’s note), because I believe the plan was very clear and I did my part. »
Is Sebastian Vettel burying his head in the sand or is he using his good faith? “ I didn't understand the team instructions (asking him to come back second. Editor’s note), I was just trying to run my race. As for whether there is a reason or not (behind the instructions), this will be discussed internally. »
Sebastian Vettel had already been the author of a tactical Trafalgar coup. Remember, during the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix, he had virilely overtaken his teammate Mark Webber at Red Bull despite the famous “Multi 21” rule, where the No. 2 driver (Webber) had to finish the event in the No. 1 (Vettel).
After this hot episode, Sebastian Vettel lost the lead of the race due to a late pit stop. Regardless, its mechanics would give up the ghost a few moments later.
The rage of the winner of the Singapore GP burst with a sentence worthy of someone nostalgic for the golden age of this sport. “Bring back the damn V12s!” »
“Suddenly, I no longer had any power in the battery, 60 horsepower was missing,” he then explained. I stopped the car in a place where, in my opinion, there was no reason to call the Safety Car. »
It will certainly be necessary to neutralize individual attacks between the two big guns of the Scuderia in the future.
Discover the analysis of the Russian GP carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2236 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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