Sebastian Vettel: Ferrari aren't clear favourites at Monza

Italian Grand Prix

Vettel: Ferrari aren't clear favourites at Monza

Seb plays down expectations.

Martin Macdonald

Thursday 5 September 2019 16:02

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Sebastian Vettel doesn’t believe that Ferrari are favourites to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, despite the track matching their strength of being powerful on straights.

During the summer break, Mercedes claimed Ferrari were the strongest contenders for victory in the next two races in Belgium and Italy. Last week Charles Leclerc gained the first win in Spa to subsequently take momentum to Monza for the team.

His team-mate, Vettel, however, refuses to accept the ‘favourites’ tag.

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“No I don't think so, I have lots of races ahead. I'm not looking ahead to 10 races time. This is the weekend I'm focused on,” the German said when asked if Monza represented his best chance of a win this season.

“We're not the clear favourites. There are signs we are aware of that put us in a good position. We have to be carefully optimistic, and realistic.

“There are a lot of elements during a GP that can make a difference. One lap is one thing but obviously there are a lot of laps on Sunday.

“I see it as a chance, simple as that. But then again, you always have a chance when you're on the grid no matter where you start from.

“But sure, we want to make sure we start from the front.”

Even though it is the Scuderia’s home race, the partisan Italian supporters have not witnessed a winner in red since Fernando Alonso in 2010.

Vettel is hoping the huge support from the Tifosi can boost the team to their first victory in nine years.

“We've been on the podium a couple of times, but not on the top step,” he said of Ferrari’s recent Monza results.

“It's a big thing. It's the biggest race for us, no doubt. Its a big weekend. Obviously we saw yesterday, the passion there is.

“I'm sure we will see that throughout the weekend. I'm sure it will give us a boost. How much? We will see. It is difficult to predict, but here is the time to overdeliver.

“It's a big weekend, so hopefully we can make it count this time. We have a good chance, so we'll see, we're ready, I guess.”