Vettel cautious over Ferrari pace despite quick times

2017 F1 season

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Sebastian Vettel is keeping his hopes in check despite Ferrari consistently featuring near the top of the times in testing so far.

“Time will tell,” said Vettel after lapping within a quarter of a second of Mercedes’ pace-setting time on Wednesday.

“I don’t have a crystal ball. I have two other balls but they don’t tell me much.”

F1 testing day three in pictures
“At this time we have a lot of stuff on our list, it’s a very long list. We have a lot of things to do and for sure the potential is higher because the rules are very different but it is for everyone.”

Vettel added he expects Ferrari and their rivals will bring a lot of updates before the first race.

“I’m quite curious to see for now until Melbourne how the car will change and how everybody else will change,” he said. “At least in Melbourne we have a little bit more clue of where we are, right now it’s difficult to say.”

The Ferrari driver said he enjoyed the feel from F1’s new tyres and increased downforce.

“I had a feel of [the tyres] last year with the tyre testing, helping to develop,” he said.

“It was already a step forward on the mechanical side, obviously the tyres are quite a bit wider and more draggy so slower down the straights. But faster in the corners which is always more enjoyable for us. If the straight is a bit longer, doesn’t really matter.”

Two of the Circuit de Catalunya’s quickest corners can now be taken without lifting but Vettel pointed out “it’s not first time” for him. “I have been flat in turn three and also turn nine in 2010. It’s probably similar to that.”

“It’s obviously nice when you can push the car harder and also for longer. They tyres seem to be more consistent. That’s obviously a better, nicer sensation when you drive the car.”

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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22 comments on “Vettel cautious over Ferrari pace despite quick times”

  1. “I don’t have a crystal ball. I have two other balls but they don’t tell me much.”

    dayyuuumm, lmao

    1. What? He has a football and a tennis ball, what’s the big deal? :D

      1. Eyeballs. The timesheet’s give away nothing regarding the true order of the teams.

    2. I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s feeling a bit happier than last year :D

    3. “I don’t have a crystal ball. I have two other balls but they don’t tell me much.”

      Well, therein lies the problem. Lack of communication :D

  2. It’s quite possible VET remembered last years testing. Ferrari was very quick and topped the list several times.. resulting in probably the most disappointing season ever.

    1. javier javier
      1st March 2017, 20:22

      The difference is that last year to be ahead of Mercedes, Ferrari used softer tires, this year they are close to Mercedes while using a harder compound, that small detail make me have some hope for a good battle this year

      1. The tires are more durable this year, so it doesn’t really matter which tire they concentrate on

    2. Start of last year was good. Team threw the 1st race. Allison issue impacted development but on balance of season tactics and driver errors cost them a very tight finish with Red Bull. Since parting with Alonso they have had a far better time than he has.

      Testing so far gives me confidence they won’t slip from coming at least 3rd. To beat the other 2 will be very hard. Sooner rather than later Renault will come good, the rest are just in a midfield scrap.

  3. Kimi and Seb most really get along well, I just saw the interview and the first thing Seb says is “Bwoah”. I mean honestly, for sure

    1. @johnmilk I too have started saying “bwoah” to start my sentences. It makes everything sound well thought out but also quite chilled!

      And my iPhone doesn’t even autocorrect it to something else!

      1. I’m going to add to my vocabulary as well then. Good thing it seems to work in pretty much every language

        1. yeah, its the same for everybody, sooo…

          1. gold!

    2. where can i find the interview?

      1. official F1 facebook page

  4. His humor is back!! I take that as a good sign

  5. Fudge Kobayashi (@)
    2nd March 2017, 3:48

    It’s insane that the blown diffuser on the Red Bull in 2010 was able to take corners flat that no other car on the grid could, Turkey also springs to mind. Just goes to show when these regulations mature in 2-3 years we could be looking at some outrageously fast lap times.

    1. @offdutyrockstar Or grooved tyres :P

  6. I think theres a good chance of Ferrari fighting Mercedes this year if they develop their car better throughout the season. In 2016, Ferrari started off pretty strong. They weren’t quicker than the Mercs, but they were within striking distance. They fell away pretty quickly as they didn’t develop the car as well as the RBs or Mercs over the season. I’m sure a lot of it had to do with James Allison’s tragedy and his departure from the team. This year though, they could be better prepared for the entire season.

    I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Ferrari keeping Seb happy this season… so it improves Alonso’s chances of getting that Mercedes drive ;)

  7. In 2016 Ferrari realises ealry in the seson that they will not catch Mercedes and give up developing the car …so hopefully it was worth it for this year.

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