Vettel: Performance better than results

Editor

Sebastian Vettel reckons Ferrari’s performance this season has been “better” than their results.

The Scuderia are on course to finish this year’s championship third in the standings after losing the ‘best of the rest’ slot to Red Bull Racing.

It has been a difficult season for Ferrari, who were billed as potential challengers prior to the Australian Grand Prix.

Instead, unless they claim an unexpected victory this Sunday in Abu Dhabi, they will end this season without a single win on the board.

“It’s the last race of the season and I think the most positive thing we can draw from this year is the experience we lived as a team,” said Vettel.

“We were often criticized but I don’t think criticism was always justified.

“We remained very committed throughout, despite not achieving what we wanted to, due to various reasons and circumstances.

“This year’s car was a big step from last year, and I think our performance was better than results show.

“So now our target for next year is quite clear, we have to be ready with the project in view of many regulation changes.”

Looking back over the season, Vettel says his third place at Ferrari’s home race, the Italian GP, was the highlight of his season.

He said: “If I should name a special moment in 2016, I would recall the podium finish at Monza.

“We’ve had a difficult season but seeing that the tifosi still believe in us was a big boost for everyone.”