Sebastian Vettel reveals key to F1 sprint qualifying success

Vettel, Aston Martin, Austria — Photo: © LAT Images

British Grand Prix

Vettel reveals key to F1 sprint qualifying success

F1 trials the format for the first time at Silverstone

Ewan Gale

Saturday 17 July 2021 16:20

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has revealed the key to success in F1's "weird" sprint trial will be simply to finish the 100-kilometre race.

The format has been turned on its head for this weekend's British Grand Prix as qualifying was on Friday evening, with the first sprint race on Saturday.

Teams had just a single practice session early Friday afternoon to perfect set-ups ahead of the cars entering parc fermé conditions at Silverstone.

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"It is going to be a bit weird," said Vettel, who starts from 10th on the grid for the sprint. "We already went down to one-hour practice sessions.

"In the end, I quite like it because there is less hanging around in the garage and more action on track so I think we prefer it.

"But now, there is obviously one hour and that is it, straight into qualifying. You have to be straight on it right from the start."

Asked how aggressive he would attack the sprint, the four-time champion replied: "It depends on the [other] cars. If everybody goes to the side then for sure I will try and go to pass.

"Ideally, you take the opportunity on lap one to make up positions. Sometimes it works your way, sometimes it doesn't but I think the key is that you finish the race because otherwise, you start last for Sunday."

Vettel "open" to change

Whilst the sprint format is only being trialled at three races this season, there was a mixed reaction to the initiative after it was announced earlier this year.

Although coy on the pros and cons, Vettel has insisted he will wait until afterwards to make a judgement.

"I am fairly open because it is what it is so it won't change no matter what we say," he added. "We will see, maybe it is really good. Generally, it is fine to be open about it.

"In terms of preparation, not that much difference, just obviously running through the schedule because the weekend is different, selecting your tyres and this kind of stuff is a little bit different."