Berlin, Nov. 16, (dpa/GNA) Sebastian Vettel had to wait more than a year to have again the feeling he once got so used to: stand on a Formula One podium.
His third place at the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday was the best result by far amid what has been a chaotic final season at Ferrari season for the German.
“Of course it’s nice after a long dry spell,” Vettel said. His last time among the top three drivers was on October 27, 2019 with a second place at the Mexican Grand Prix.
In 2020 he was sixth in Hungary, seventh in Spain, and tenth in four other races. But in seven races the German wasn’t even among the top 10.
It’s an horrific balance for someone who wanted to start an era with the Scuderia when he joined in 2015, as his great idol Michael Schumacher once did with five world championship titles at the famed Italian teams.
But despite his own setbacks, team mistakes and a car that simply can’t keep up with Mercedes, Vettel always believed: “I didn’t doubt I could achieve a good result.”
Vettel took advantage of a mistake by his team-mate Charles Leclerc only metres away of the chequered flag to taste a bit of success before reaching the finishing line of his mission with Ferrari.
“I think I was a little too conservative when the track dried out. I should have attacked more,” Vettel said despite the apparent joy on his face after the wet race.
The German worked hard to finish third starting 11th on the grid. His efforts earned him the driver of the day award, voted by the fans.
Inspired by his performance under difficult weather and track conditions, Vettel now wants to “squeeze everything out of the car” in the last three races of the season.
It should be a noble farewell for the driver before he starts a new chapter with Racing Point (from next year Aston Martin) in 2021, with the hope of celebrating podiums more often.
GNA