Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFerrari

'I don't deserve to be in the top three' - Vettel

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Like Ferrari as a whole since the beginning of the weekend, Sebastian Vettel was hopeful of taking the challenge to Mercedes during qualifying.

The German appeared to be biding his time - and saving tyres - in the latter stages of the session, emerging late in Q3 for a single lap run, but it proved good only for a fourth place spot on tomorrow's grid.

"We did only one run in order to save a set of tyres," Vettel said.

"I was confident I could make it on the last lap, but I didn't. I wasn't happy with the run, I did a couple of mistakes here and there which cost quite a lot of time. So in all honesty I don't deserve to be in the top three."

Although the German was disappointed, the prospect of starting on the SuperSpoft compound with an extra set in hand provides Vettel with a fairly positive outlook.

"It should be interesting. Nico is obviously starting on a different compound, and there are a different amount of tyres left for us behind him, it will be interesting to see how the race unfolds.

"We'll first focus on the start, and the last one I had was very good, so I'm confident that I can have another good one and we'll go from there. We have strong car, the balance was better today than it was yesterday.

"Obviously there's the Red Bull that has squeezed past, but I think we can be quicker tomorrow so our target is to go forward from where we are now, and I think we have good chance of finishing higher than fourth."

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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.