Turkish GP: Post-Race reaction from Vettel, Leclerc and Binotto

After Fourteen races into the 2020 Formula 1 season, Ferrari picked up their best results of the season on Sunday, November 15th at Istanbul Park. Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc who had started from 11th and 12th respectively and went on to finish third and fourth and brought home 27 points. Ferrari is still sixth in the Constructors’ classification and they are now just 24 points shy of third place.

By finishing in P3, Seb picks up his first podium of 2020 and third podium for Ferrari, while Charles’ in Austria and Great Britain are other two. This was Sebastian’s 121^st podium in Formula 1, his 55^th with Ferrari and the Scuderia’s 773^rd. 

Ferrari & Sebastian Vettel want to carry the positive momentum to final three races of the season to move up in the constructor standings and to end their relationship on a positive note.

Sebastian Vettel (P3)

“There are some races that are special, where anything can happen. I think today’s race confirmed that I have a special relationship with Istanbul Park. One could say my Formula 1 career began here and here again, in what has so far definitely been a difficult season, I have managed to finish on the podium for the first time.

The first lap was incredible. I got away well and with the heavy wet tyres, I had great grip. Then, when we switched to the intermediates, I struggled a bit more. I think the fact there was less water on the track helped and so, in the closing stages I was really quick. In the last few laps I caught Charles and Perez who were fighting.

Charles overtook the Racing Point, but locked up at turn 12, so I went inside and I only just missed out on getting second place too. I am sorry for him and I can understand he is very angry about what happened, because in many ways, I see myself in him. But he is so strong that very soon, this day will be completely unimportant in his mind. He drove a great race.”

Charles Leclerc (P4)

“I am extremely disappointed with myself. I messed it up in the last corner and there’s not much else to say really, because in the end it’s the result that counts. My start was bad, from the dirty side of the track, but then things went better and in the middle part of the race we were extremely quick and I did a good job of catching up with the leading group that had been several seconds in front, but then I threw everything in the bin at the end.

I am sorry for the team, as we could have finished second today. On the other hand, I am pleased for Seb as he has had a difficult season so far and completely deserves this first podium.”

Mattia Binotto, Team Principal :

“After a very difficult Saturday, it’s great to end up as the team that scored the most points on Sunday. We knew that, in these conditions the race would come to those who made the fewest mistakes. Overall, as a team, we did a good job, particularly in terms of strategy. We made brave choices at the right time. It’s also worth noting that we might have done even better, getting both drivers on the podium. Overnight, we worked very hard at the track and back in Maranello to work out why we hadn’t got the tyres to work yesterday and today, that collective effort paid off, as could be seen with both the wets and the intermediates.

It’s particularly pleasing that Sebastian finally got into the top three. He drove a very strong race, especially that fantastic start. Charles was very quick for long parts of the race. If it had not been for the start and that final slip on the last lap, he would have finished second, but he still had a great race. We’ve made up a bit of ground in the Constructors’ classification, but the gap to those ahead of us is still significant. Here in Istanbul, we confirmed that we have been making progress since Monza and we want to continue doing that in the final three races of the year in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

Finally, I wish to congratulate Lewis for this very well deserved Drivers’ title, which means he equals the number held by Michael Schumacher.”

Ferrari race debrief by Marc Gene: