Second stop under VSC was the right call insists Vettel

Sebastian Vettel defended Ferrari's two-stop strategy in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, saying an overall lack of pace was responsible for the Scuderia's relative under-performance.

The Scuderia opted to bring the German in for a second set of medium rubber during a virtual safety car period, with Vettel insisting it was the right call at the time given his tyre degradation relative to his closest rivals.

"It wasn't an option to stay out [under the VSC] because we were going through the tyres quicker than the others today," said Vettel.

"Obviously it looks different and it looks wrong, but from the inside it was the right thing to do."

Commanding Hamilton comfortably reigns in Spain

It was aslow stop for Vettel who emerged fourth on lap 44, behind Max Verstappen, but despite his fresher set of medium tyres - and a damaged front wing on the Red Bull - the German could not challenge the Dutchman driver for the last spot on the podium.

"No, even with his broken wing… I think they can shave the other side as well," the Ferrari driver said with a bout of humour.

"Overall we were a little bit quicker, tyres were fresh as well but I think as the laps went on we just didn't have enough pace, it's as simple as that.

"He was doing more or less the same. We're just not quick enough, even at the end I was not in a healthy shape with the tyres despite the fact that mine were the freshest.

Pirelli changed its compounds to a thinner tread tyre better suited to the Circuit de Catalunya's new surface. Vettel however wasn't sure if the change was a factor in his tyres behavior.

"They changed for here, it's hard to say how it would have been without the change. I think it probably impacted more us than the others, but overall it's been a decent weekend.

"We just need to understand the tyres and what to do. I think we have these tyres again in paul Ricard and Silverstone, so we need to have a look."

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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.