Sebastian Vettel says it feels “incredible” to equal Ayrton Senna’s 41 career wins after securing his second Ferrari victory during Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The German made a lightning start from third on the grid to depose pole sitter Lewis Hamilton and lead team-mate Kimi Raikkonen into the first corner. The Ferrari duo then steadily pulled away from third-placed Rosberg, with Vettel comfortably in command.
But the four-time world champion came under pressure in the closing stages of the race when a late Safety Car bunched up the field again and Raikkonen suffered a MGU-K issue that led to his eventual retirement. This pushed Vettel back into Rosberg’s and the charging Daniel Ricciardo’s claws.
Thankfully for the leading Ferrari, the chasing duo collided at Turn 1 and enabled the ex-Red Bull star to hold on and join Senna in the books.
“Achieving Senna’s record is something incredible,” said Vettel. “I don’t know how to put this in words.
“For me and the team, it’s an amazing day. It was a great start. Obviously it was a bit hairy with the Safety Car at the end, where we had to push again. Unfortunately we lost Kimi’s comfortable second position also due to a problem that he suffered.”
In the wake of Jules Bianchi’s passing and with Ferrari experiencing a tricky start to its Budapest weekend, Vettel confesses his second win in red tastes especially sweet.
“When you take the last couple of days, the ups and downs emotionally as well as in the performance, it’s great to come out on top.
“I think nevertheless, today is for Jules. That’s bigger than anything else.”
REPORT: Vettel wins chaotic Hungarian Grand Prix from Kvyat
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