Vettel’s long-time friend and head of Red Bull’s driver development program Dr. Helmut Marko predicted earlier that Seb might need four to five races to find his feet with the new team.
After failing to score in his first four appearances for Aston Martin, Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel came alive in the last two races and scored 28 points to help team to clinch P6 in the constructor’s championship battle. So Marko knows Vettel better than many on the grid…
Also The German gave Aston Martin their first ever Formula 1 podium in team history on Sunday with a spectacular drive from 11th on the grid to finish second.
Vettel managed to lead the race after a long first stint on the soft tyres, allowing him to overcut two cars before fighting past Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly on the first restart, giving him P2 at the chequered flag.
Vettel conceded after the race that while he had felt strong through practice and qualifying, he never expected to reach the podium.
“I didn’t have many expectations, to be honest,” Vettel said.
“I knew that the whole weekend I felt good, so I knew we could score some points, but I certainly didn’t expect second and the race was really strong.
“Obviously I’m very happy with P2 and [for] the team, I think it’s great for us. We had a very rough start to the season. We expected quite a bit more after such a strong year the team had last year.
“I can’t wait to get back to have a couple of drinks with the guys.”
Even though as a Racing Point, the team had fought regularly at the front of the midfield through 2020 season and took a race win in Sakhir, team struggled during 2021 season to replicate the same level of performance, thanks to FIA’s downforce cuts during offseason.
P2 marked Vettel’s best result since the 2019 Mexican Grand Prix, as well as matching his best finish in Baku from the inaugural race in 2016.
Vettel said he took more enjoyment out of fighting for positions further up the field, sensing there was a big opportunity for the team as he gradually rose through the field.
“It’s always nice if you join a new team get together good results,” Vettel said.
“I sat here on Thursday and said that I’m in it to win, and I enjoyed the race because I was getting closer and closer to spots that I enjoy more and more.
“Obviously when I was P4, I knew that’s good points for the team and for myself, but as soon as we were in the podium ranks, I really thought that we can have a say if something happens.
“I think I felt quite comfortable in the car all weekend, which for sure doesn’t hurt, so hopefully we can carry that momentum into the next couple of events.
“France will be a normal track so we will see where we are, but hopefully we can fight for points a little bit more regularly.”
Sebastian on Why he opted to stay in the car during red flag wait :
Vettel revealed that he felt in such good shape that he opted not to get out of his car during the lengthy red flag wait.
“I stayed in the car, I wanted to stay in the zone and not distract myself, to be ready,” Vettel said.
“I felt that we obviously did the best we could today. It’s quite comfortable in my car – and I’m one of the only drivers that doesn’t pee in the car, so I can stay in there for any longer!”
