Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel was thrilled to finish on the podium at the Italian Grand Prix last weekend at the red team’s home race, and considering the Maranello based squad’s recent form, for the German that third place was almost as good as a win!
“Of course I am very happy for all the team. It is a very special race for us, to stand on the podium here in Monza, is just great. But for sure you are always aiming for the top step, so well done to our rivals, they have been in a league on their own in the race.”
Ferrari introduced an engine upgrade at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, and that update seemed to pay off, as both drivers were able to finish the race ahead of the two Red Bull Racing drivers, their nemesis of recent weeks.
“Yet, we tried our optimum, this is the perfect result for us, the whole weekend has been very smooth, no issues with the car. We brought an engine update, so grazie anche to the guys at Maranello, for their support.”
Vettel feels that the Italian squad are now moving in the right direction and will continue improving for the remainder of the season. He also added, that the undying support from the mass of fans who come out for the Italian Grand Prix, also gave both Vettel and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen an extra boost during the race.
“I feel things are changing: it will still take a little bit, but we are heading the right way. And on a day like this, you realize that life is to enjoy, to get so much support is just unbelievable.
“I feel we have the best fans in the world, it is difficult to find the right words. This podium here, it’s not the Adriatic Sea, it is the sea of tifosi. “
Talking of the dismal season Ferrari have had by their standards so far in 2016, the German expressed his confidence that they will turn things around, and is in no doubt that they will produce the best car on the grid someday soon, thanks to their hard work and strong team ethic.
“We had a rough season, we had high expectations, we have put ourselves on high pressure, we have also done mistakes, but the most important thing is that we stay a team, that we stay together.
“We have a lot of races ahead, we know we have a good car, unfortunately not yet quick enough for being able to say, here ‘we have the best car’, but I am sure that one day we will be.”
