Vettel: All I could do was serve the team

Sebastian Vettel bemoaned his struggles at the Belgian Grand Prix and added that the situation meant that all he could do was try and secure victory for his team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The German moved aside midway through the race to allow Leclerc clear, and although Lewis Hamilton was within touching distance at the end, Leclerc held on for his first-ever win in F1.

Vettel then did his best to hold up Hamilton for as long as possible and that time difference proved crucial in ensuring Ferrari and Leclerc picked up the win, with Vettel finishing in fourth position.

Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, he said of the race: "[I'm happy] for the team yes, for myself I'm not happy. I didn't have the pace ultimately.

"I was struggling to stay on top of the tyres which is normally not a problem at all.

"Yeah it was a tough race, from a certain point it was clear we wouldn't be in the fight so all I could by them was serve the team.

"I was struggling in the corners and that allowed him to get close and I couldn't hold him off for a very long time.

"I was trying to get him to lose time to give Charles a cushion and in the end it was just enough so we did the job."

There are now only 12 points separating the two Ferrari drivers on the world championship standings.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 champion Max Verstappen reveals his 'bucket list' races after Nurburgring adventure

• Yesterday 22:57

F1 legend denies being arrested in Portugal over shotgun 'cock-up'

• Yesterday 22:00

Ferrari 'need to get their s**t together' as F1 legend calls for Hamilton-Leclerc peace talks

• Yesterday 20:57

Max Verstappen finally admits talks with Mercedes and McLaren, this is why he turned them down

• Yesterday 19:45

Lewis Hamilton is walking a dangerous line with Ferrari criticism: 'They have never liked this'

• Yesterday 18:45

McLaren to create 1000 UK jobs with new £450m investment

• Yesterday 17:27