Vettel aims for pole despite strategy 'panic'
By Motorsport.com/GMM
Sebastian Vettel has denied he will sacrifice qualifying in a bid to return to the top step of the podium this weekend.
The German won the opening two races from pole, but was outwitted in China three weeks ago after Lewis Hamilton saved tyres throughout the weekend to beat Red Bull at the wheel of the slightly inferior McLaren.
In Shanghai, Mark Webber seared through the field to the podium due to having a cache of fresh tyres, with former driver Alex Wurz observing this week that "a new set of tyres can be better" than a few further rows on the grid.
Nick Heidfeld told Speed Week that race tactics are therefore going to now unfold "a bit differently to before".
Pole specialist Vettel admitted there is some "panic" among F1's strategists at present but intends to push on in Turkey this weekend.
"My motto is: if you want to have fun, start from the back. If you want to win, start from pole," said the 23-year-old on Thursday.
Webber told Auto Motor und Sport: "It's a very fine line to walk on now. Unfortunately, you don't know exactly what's going to happen in the race."
Share Or Save This Story
"It's a business" – Lando Norris explains why drivers don't have more say in F1's rules
Lewis Hamilton and Franco Colapinto share “wholesome” moment after Miami GP contact: “Good sportsmanship”
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
How will Max Verstappen re-adapt to F1 after Nurburgring 24h adventure?
Why Ford 'loves the V8 idea' in F1 amid changing road car strategy
Exclusive: How Red Bull and Ford managed to build a competitive F1 engine straight away
How will Max Verstappen re-adapt to F1 after Nurburgring 24h adventure?
Manthey proposes radical DTM BoP reform: Rivals suspect tactical play
Toprak Razgatlioglu makes “really big step” in MotoGP but one key weakness remains
Five things to look out for at the F1 Canada GP
Top 10 F1 drivers of the 1960s
The F1 power unit formula solution that could suit all parties
How F1's ADUO system works
How Colton Herta is chasing his F1 dream
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments