Sebastian Vettel remained in Spain to participate in the post-Spanish Grand Prix test at the Circuit de Catalunya, and felt it was a worthwhile learning experience to try and figure out what went wrong during the weekend of the Grand Prix.
The German and his Scuderia Ferrari team appeared to struggle in Spain, with he and his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen qualifying fifth and sixth, and although the team were able to claim a double podium on race day, Vettel knows there is still improvements needed in all areas of their car to be regular victory contenders.
“It was very good to have the opportunity to test after Barcelona GP, we learned a lot, even if it’s difficult to replicate 100% of the qualifying scenario,” said Vettel. “Conditions were similar but not exactly the same, but still we could try a lot of things.
“The Spanish race could have had a different outcome, it’s not a big deal to make mistakes but it’s very important to learn from them. We know that we are not yet big enough, we need a bit more power, more grip, more downforce.
“I think the objectives are clear. It’s not so easy to do, otherwise we’d do it overnight! That’s the challenge that everybody is facing, that we are facing, but we believe we have a very strong team, we have the right people and we can do it.”
Looking ahead to this weekends visit to Monaco, Vettel feels the driver can make a different more than they would on any other weekend, with bravery coming into play in a handful of places around the tight and twisty circuit, with the Casino Square section one that stands out for the German driver.
“I think the driver can always make the difference,” said Vettel. “Some differences you can see in major, other differences you can’t, but especially around here I think is very important that you feel comfortable in the car because it allows you to extract more than normally is on the plate.
“Monaco is a street circuit and I think that the drivers can do more the difference compared to a normal race track. Here I like the Casino Square because is the fastest corner and you also need to be brave when you come over the Crest, you need to stay flat as long as you’re there. In terms of lap times maybe is not the most critical corner, but of course is the one I enjoy most.”
