Pascal Wehrlein thinks he switched to intermediates too early at the British Grand Prix, with the Manor driver aquaplaning off track and into retirement on the second racing lap at Silverstone.
Following a sudden downpour, the Safety Car led the field off the line and came in at the end of the fifth lap. A stream of cars immediately dived into the pits to ditch their full wets and take on inters, including Wehrlein.
The 2015 DTM champion had barely got back up to speed that he spun on the way to turn one and beached his MRT05.
Asked by F1i's Chris Medland whether the switch to Pirelli’s green-walled compound came too early, the 2015 DTM champion replied: “For us it was too early with the downforce level we have.
“You don’t expect to spin on a straight line with 250-300kph and you are on full throttle. In the end, of course I could have braked, but it’s always a bit unlucky if you spin on a straight.”
Wehrlein also believes his DNF is part of the learning curve that any F1 rookie must face.
“If I had [more] experience, I could have told the team 'I think maybe we should stay out two or three laps [longer]' but it was just guessing whether it was right or not.
“It was not right and I need to learn from that experience. Next time I will know that if the track is wet like that then we should stay out a bit longer on full wets.”
With Wehrlein set to test Pirelli’s 2017 tyres on a 2014-spec Mercedes car this Tuesday at Silverstone, he will not have to wait for long to take his mind off the outcome of his latest race weekend. Still, the 21-year-old admits the disappointment is likely to stay until the next F1 round in Budapest.
“I will still be angry when I arrive in Hungary”.
Incidentally, Wehrlein’s team-mate Rio Haryanto retired from the British GP in similar circumstances when he went off at turn one on lap 27.
2016 British Grand Prix - Driver ratings
RACE REPORT: Hamilton beats Rosberg and Verstappen in British GP
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