Sebastian Vettel Q&A: A very solid Friday

Leading the field by half a second is quite a statement, even if Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel does play down the importance of Friday’s practice times. He has marked the Hungaroring as his territory for the weekend and now it is up to the rest to take it from him. After several Grands Prix when things have somehow slipped through his fingers, has the young German’s time come again in Budapest?

Q: How was the day developing for you?
Sebastian Vettel: I think today was actually quite a good day, even though the timings are not really important. Of course it is good if you are somewhere at the front, but still the gaps today do not reflect the actual situation, as for example we have not been loaded with too much fuel. Also we did not have any problems with the car, so I would call today a very solid Friday.

Q: Would you also say that there is now a very strong competitor joining the fight for the championship?
SV: Ferrari has again also shown a very strong day, especially in the afternoon session. It looked as if they were very quick on both the short and the longer run. As I said, it is not really possible to say anything for the rest of the weekend taking a look at the Friday timings. It is just important that you run the car with a heavy, but also with a light, fuel load and be able to be in the front.

Q: Also your team mate has again shown that he is amongst the competitors for the championship. Will there be a showdown before the end of the season?
SV: In general it is very good if both drivers in a team are on the same level, as long as I am a little bit in the front! In general I think we have a normal relationship as team mates, and the both of us try our best. So for tomorrow it will not only be tight between Mark (Webber) and myself, but also the rest of the field will show its competitiveness. For example McLaren has shown not only once that they are capable of making a step forward overnight.

Q: Of course both drivers are also gaining points for the team and the constructors’ championship, but from when will you be thinking in terms of yourself becoming the drivers’ world champion?
SV: In general I think that being a sportsman you have to have a certain amount of egoism. Also I do think primarily of the drivers’ championship title, but still you always have to keep in mind that you are working with and on behalf of the whole team. Basically it comes down to a good mixture of both, as of course due to recent happenings this is a very current topic. One also should not over-dramatize the whole topic.

Q: How did you perform on the super soft tyres and did you encounter any problems with them today?
SV: I have not really been able to get a proper long run, but if you take a look at the others that have been able to, I would say that there are no problems and the super soft lasted quite long, even against expectations.

Q: What are your feelings on the track itself?
SV: The track here in Hungary is quite tough, as it is very bumpy and tricky at various places. So let’s see what we can do in qualifying and then in the race.

Source: Formula1.com