Sebastian Vettel admitted the prospect of a podium made his comeback from as low as 18th, at one stage, to fourth gave him with a bittersweet feeling at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver was expected to take the fight to Lewis Hamilton in the race on Sunday, instead, contact with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the first corner damaged his front wing and later saw him pit for a replacement
Vettel was able to fight back through the field up to sixth place when the team decided to switch strategies and pit again switching back to the ultrasoft tyres. The change worked and the German rejoined the battle for third position and had eyes set on the last podium spot but had to settle for a well-deserved fourth.
Speaking after the race, he conceded “I wanted to be on the podium in the end” but revealed another mistake that ultimately cost him.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think with the damage in the beginning, it was not ideal. It was bad that we didn’t spot it,” he said.
“I had a little bit of a feel out of Turn 6, and then the Safety Car came but I wasn’t sure because the first lap of the race, especially because it was very windy today, I thought it might have been a gust on the first lap I thought the tyres were not there.
“But we should have spotted that and get a free pit stop. In the end we did it when everyone was back at pace and we had to catch up a couple of laps first.”
Vettel also expressed his disappointment at seeing his 100% podium record this year come to an end and simply not be in a position to fight with the Mercedes in the race.
“Ultimately I think the team and the car deserved more today,” he claimed.
“The pace was there. Bit difficult to read, I think Mercedes was very strong in the race and it’s also a different story when you can control the race, the pace, and the tyres.
“I was pushing flat out and when you’re chasing other cars you lose quite a lot of grip, then you’re sliding, so a different race for us today.”