Vettel happy with qualifying result and race prospects

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Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari definitely closed on rival Mercedes following qualifying in Montreal , but the pair still remain in the shadow of the almighty Silver Arrows of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Equipped with its latest engine and chassis updates, Vettel's Ferrari managed in bridging the gap with poleman Hamilton to less than two tenths of a second, which earned him a third place start for tomorrow's race.

But despite his good performance, Vettel was still hoping for more.

"I thought there was maybe a little bit more I could have squeezed out" Vettel said. " I was very happy with the lap and the car today. I wanted to get below the 1m13 mark, I did but it wasn't enough to beat the two Mercedes or split them.

"Going into quali I thought we had a really good chance, which is why I was a bit disappointed initially. But overall, I'm pretty happy with the result.

"I am happy with how the weekend turned out. I am generally comfortable and enjoyed qualifying a lot. I brushed the Wall of Champions. I did that so don't have to do it tomorrow."

Vettel admitted that the upgrades installed on his SF16-H's power unit and chassis were welcome additions and ones which contributed to the car's good performance in qualifying.

"We expected it to bring performance to the car and that is what it did. This is a track where it is quite important with long straights. That is why we decided to bring it here as well.

"It worked and it should help us as well tomorrow and not just today."

The German is looking forward to his day at the races tomorrow although like his rivals, is well aware that the uncertain weather forecast could make or break any team's efforts.

"On paper, starting high up, your chances increase. This is a race where you can pass, but we'll have to wait and see what the weather turns out to be.

"A lot of things can happen, safety cars, maybe some rain, we'll have to stay alert and that's what we'll try to do."

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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.