Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFerrari

Vettel insists podium achieved on merit

40

While Sebastian Vettel acknowledged Ferrari's relative lack of pace over the weekend, the German insisted his third place podium finish was no gift, and achieved on merit and as a result of a good strategic call.

Vettel suffered from a poor start which dropped him as low as ninth from his sixth place starting position on the grid. But when the rain started to fall, the German perfectly timed his pit stop change to intermediates, which boosted the Ferrari up to a third place podium finish.

"It was not a Christmas gift, Santa Claus wasn't there waiving me to the pits," Vettel insisted. "It was our own decision and obviously not a lot of people got it right, but we did. That is our choice and that's what we achieved today. Yes, without the rain we would not be on the podium. It helped us today, we came in on the perfect lap."

Still, Vettel expected Ferrari to be stronger over the weekend as the Italian outfit was caught somewhat off guard by Williams qualifying pace.

"I don't think we took a step back, but we just couldn't find the right direction this weekend. There are things we need to understand. Surely the tires are not in our favour but that's the same for everyone, so we need to make sure that we are at least as quick as the others and not struggling with that. Hungary will be a different track, we'll be looking forward to that but there's plenty of home work."

Click here for Galleries from the British Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.