F1 News

Vettel didn't stand a chance: 'Verstappen shot past me like an arrow'

2 October 2022 at 19:47
Last update 3 October 2022 at 07:01
  • GPblog.com

Sebastian Vettel had a strong race at the Singapore circuit. The German started from P13 and immediately made up five places at the start. In the closing stages of the race, Vettel was overtaken by Max Verstappen on the last lap, but he says he could not defend against the Dutchman's speed.

"I knew I had to be aggressive at the start. First patience, then I started pushing. In the formation lap I looked at different lines and that worked well", Vettel is quoted by Motorsport-Magazin.com. In the end, Vettel finished eighth. Along with teammate Lance Stroll's P6, Aston Martin takes home important points as the team moves up from ninth to seventh position in the constructors' championship.

Vettel did have a bit of bad luck in the race, as he came in for new tyres just before one of the safety car periods. Stroll drove into the pit lane a few laps later and was able to gain a lot of time. In the end, Vettel got stuck, even though he was put under pressure by the faster Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who dropped further back after their mistakes.

Vettel could not keep Verstappen behind him

"At the end I was a bit stuck and couldn't put pressure on the guys in front of me. The drivers behind me were much faster. Max shot past me like an arrow", says the four-time world champion. Vettel thinks a better result was possible, but the German is still happy with the result.