Everything as usual in Formula 1. This is not good news for Sebastian Vettel. While World Champion Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) continued the head-to-head race on Friday at practice for the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao (Sunday, 16: 00 CEST in the F. A. Z. live ticker to Formula 1 and Sky), the four-time world champion again fell far behind his team-mate.
In the Aston Martin, Hesse needed 0.6 seconds longer than Lance Stroll to simulate a qualifying lap. The Canadian sauntered back into the top ten (9th), just over half a second behind the fastest Hamilton in practice. Vettel finished 15th and looked slightly annoyed from the overall as he answered: “I am not satisfied. I could have been a bit faster, “he told Sky,” the car doesn’t do what I imagine. I tried a lot. Something will already be there for Saturday (for the grid race / D. Red.).”
Aston Martin wanted the winner type
Vettel relies on a profitable idea for the tuning of his car overnight. The pressure is growing. Aston Martin had signed him in order to benefit from the experience of a winner, to gain some extra time. Vettel’s problems during the first two races of the season were more or less benevolently accepted as difficulties getting used to. The switch from Ferrari to the Aston Martin with the Mercedes-Hybrid in the rear requires a certain adjustment period. Because of glitches Vettel did not start at first. But formula 1 is impatient.
