Vettel: “I think I chickened out” on first braking

Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) had all the weapons to enhance his pole position record to 51 on the Brazilian track of Interlagos. Get rid of clutter Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) leaving the track in the first qualifying phase, the German was the most efficient in the field until the final moments of Q3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) he stole the pole for 38 thousandths.

The four-time world champion is self-critical and cites a poor approach to Senna's S at the start of the round. “I think I chickened out when I applied the brakes in the first corner, I lost a little too much time there. I slowed down too early in fact, the grip was optimal. »

“Then my lap was satisfactory. I knew there were still a few hundredths to gain in the final sector, which I managed to accomplish, but at that moment I was still behind Valtteri”, analyzes the leader of the Scuderia.

Despite this lost duel against Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel remains optimistic about the outcome of the race on Sunday. “Our pace in a long stint situation seems pretty good to me, especially compared to Valtteri. Today, of course it is not an ideal result but it remains positive if we remember the gap which separated us from Mercedes on Friday (five tenths in Free Practice 1)."

A fine connoisseur of the surprises that the Brazilian Grand Prix can hold (in 2012, a collision sent him to last place on the first lap, without preventing him from being titled at the end of the race), Sebastian Vettel makes little case Lewis Hamilton. “Seeing him start last tomorrow makes no difference. Interlagos has always been a special place, there is always something happening there, so we will have to stay out of any incidents. »

After the threat of rain, the weather should become mild again by departure time (17 p.m. French time). “It should be similar to Friday's weather. Of course, our car is slightly better when it's cool, but it should still be fine. Usually we are quite strong in racing. If it's hot, I don't think I'll be penalized, but let's not forget that rain was forecast today, and it didn't come. So you will have to be careful. »