Vettel hoping to improve Ferrari’s long run pace
Sebastian Vettel says he was pleased with Ferrari’s pace over one lap but concedes the long run pace shown in FP2 is not quick enough.
Vettel ended both practice sessions at the Hockenheimring in third place, behind the Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
After dropping behind Red Bull in terms of outright speed in recent races, Vettel will be satisfied with his showing in Friday practice.
“I think the single lap pace was pretty good – but there is always room for improvement,” he said.
“We definitely should find some time tomorrow! On the long run we were on the harder compounds and definitely slower – so we have to look into that.”
The German believe various changes to the suspension and setup can be made ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session to improve the balance and speed of his prancing horse.
“That we have to look into the ratio of front suspension and rear suspension. That it is not pushing from the back, as the car was pretty lively this afternoon! (laughs) I am sure we can do something with the set-up so that it feels better tomorrow.”
Vettel has never won at the Hockenheimring and has only won the German Grand Prix on one occasion, in 2013, for Red Bull at the Nurburgring.