Sebastian Vettel taking "too many risks" after latest high-profile mistake

Eifel Grand Prix

Vettel taking "too many risks" after latest high-profile mistake

Another spin cost Vettel points at the Eifel Grand Prix

Ewan Gale

Sunday 11 October 2020 19:16

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel put another high-profile mistake down to taking too many risks after a spin cost him points at the Eifel Grand Prix.

Vettel initially looked to have jumped the start but replays showed the German managed to stop the forward momentum just before the lights went out to signal the race start.

Having lost a position to Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi on the opening lap, Vettel, on medium tyres with those around him on softs, kept pace with his rivals and looked on course to score points for only the second time in five races.

Article continues under video

However, a spin when attempting to retake Giovinazzi flat-spotted his tyres and forced him to pit for hard tyres.

Chances of a top 10 finish grew with a late safety car intervention, but the German would fall agonisingly short in 11th.

Asked if he had expected more from the weekend, Vettel conceded, "Yeah, I did.

"I think the start was actually okay, the start lap with the medium tyres compared to the others. Obviously, we lost a position again to one of the Alfa's and we got stuck.

"Very difficult to pass and very difficult to follow and I tried to take a lot of risks, probably too much risk so after that, it was difficult to come back. With the safety car, there was a chance for points but it didn't happen.

"I was only really gaining in the very last part of the straight and when I was crossing behind, I lost the car in the wake. I need to look again but it was probably too much risk at that time,"

Team-mate Charles Leclerc enjoyed a much more fruitful weekend but struggled on his first stint and, like Vettel, compromised his race with an early stop.

"It was a great quali yesterday, but today, we expected a difficult race but probably not as much," he said.

"The first run massively compromised the race. Afterwards, the second and third were quite positive but not enough to do better."

Before you go...

Hamilton vs Schumacher - The stats records of F1's two most successful drivers

Safety car cost "strong chance" of Eifel GP podium - Perez