Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFerrari

Mixed feelings for Vettel overall

While Sebastian Vettel's chances of snatching the championship from the clutches of Lewis Hamilton were meager, the Ferrari driver was still disappointed by today's overall results although he believes third was a very good result overall.

Vettel was the underdog for a good part of the afternoon but a pitstop and change to medium tyres after 19 laps coupled with the race's Safety Car periods eventually brought the German into contention in the last third of the race.

Indeed Vettel's Ferrari was at one point the fastest car out on the track, and many even believed he could produce a run to the end without a second pitstop.

Alas, tyre wear eventually forced the Ferrari to pit for a set of the softer compound rubber which compromised any opportunity to battle with the faster Mercedes duo of Rosberg and Hamilton.

"I've got some mixed feelings really," Vettel admitted.

"On the one hand it's not great to lose out on the championship and a chance to hang in there, but equally it was fantastic race."

"Starting 13th in these conditions and with I don't know how many Safety Cars, we had a very good race. The car was great, especially in mixed conditions when we switched to dry tyres. I think we had a couple of laps when we seemed to fly, I was enjoying that alot."

Slowly but surely, Ferrari appear to be bridging the gap with its Mercedes rival, a state of affairs which bodes well for next season according to Vettel.

"I'm not predicting anything, but we're working very hard and making good progress. Things are looking good for next year but we first of all we have to finish the season in style, and try to learn as much as we can using all the experience from this year to keep pushing forward for next season."

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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.