Vettel ninth 'not where Aston Martin belong'

Sebastian Vettel conceded to qualifying beyond where Aston Martin 'would normally belong' after securing ninth in the disrupted Imola session.

After sitting out the first two races of the F1 season having tested positive for coronavirus, Vettel endured a tough time at the Australian Grand Prix, crashing in both practice and the race.

Ahead of the Imola weekend, the four-time champion faced questions over his future given the lacklustre performance of the Aston Martin AMR22, the team alone on zero points at the foot of the table.

But in a rain-affected qualifying session that featured five separate red flag interruptions, Vettel successfully navigated his way to the top 10 shootout.

"I think it was eventful for everyone so we take it," explained Vettel.

"Obviously, we know we qualified where we normally wouldn't belong so that's a really good effort.

"I had maybe a slow start but I needed a little bit more time with the car to get a feel in Q1 and Q2 but when it mattered it was there and the first run of Q2 was good which was crucial to get to Q3."

Bemoaning the lack of opportunity to set a clean lap in the final session that was interrupted by three red flag periods, Vettel added: "In Q3 I think it would have been nice to have had a proper lap because I only had look-see and then the second attempt I went a little bit wide into turn two but then it was all red flags from there.

"A bit of an anticlimax to finish but overall a great result for us.

"The first time for us in Q3 this year for the time. The first time for both cars to be in Q2 this year so it has been good so far."

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