Tweet
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel missed out on a pole position on Saturday for the first time this season but gained a plaque in his honour instead.
The Red Bull driver's sequence of five poles in a row came to an end when Australian team mate Mark Webber beat him to the top slot at the Spanish Grand Prix.
He later appeared with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and local promoters to unveil a plaque to be placed in the Circuit de Catalunya's Champions' Avenue alongside others commemorating drivers such as Ayrton Senna and Fernando Alonso.
"I have done so many laps here and stopped counting a long time ago. It never gets boring here and it's always cool to come back," Vettel said in the dedication to his own memorial.
Ecclestone, who has long been a fierce champion of the 23-year-old's talent, joined Vettel and team boss Christian Horner for a photocall.
"He'll be here for a long time doing these things, believe you me," declared the 80-year-old Briton.
"When he first started driving I said this guy is going to be world champion and he hasn't let me down. And I think he's going to continue to be world champion.
"Whether or not he's going to win more championships than (seven-times champion) Michael (Schumacher), I don't know. Let's hope and see."
Vettel said the second place on the grid, his 10th successive front-row position, was no disappointment.
He pointed out that his KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) had not worked in the final phases of qualifying and he had done only one timed lap in final practice after problems with the car.
However he was not using that as an excuse.
"We are working very hard on the KERS. No, I didn't use it for Q2 and Q3 (second and third sessions) but I am sure we will have it tomorrow," said the championship leader who has won three of the first four races.
"It is not right to say I did not have KERS and that is why Mark is on pole. I think he deserved pole. He did a better job today but surely it was not ideal."
Vettel also took advantage after qualifying to have a quick look around the back end of Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, joking that it was nice to see Red Bull's exhaust system on more than two cars.
"Obviously, I'm not working in the aerodynamic department but it's nice to have a closer look because usually, for us, it's very difficult to get close and in Parc Ferme there are no mechanics around, pushing us away, so it's easier," he said.
(Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Settlement Statement | WordPress Tutorials
The Red Bull driver's sequence of five poles in a row came to an end when Australian team mate Mark Webber beat him to the top slot at the Spanish Grand Prix.
He later appeared with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and local promoters to unveil a plaque to be placed in the Circuit de Catalunya's Champions' Avenue alongside others commemorating drivers such as Ayrton Senna and Fernando Alonso.
"I have done so many laps here and stopped counting a long time ago. It never gets boring here and it's always cool to come back," Vettel said in the dedication to his own memorial.
Ecclestone, who has long been a fierce champion of the 23-year-old's talent, joined Vettel and team boss Christian Horner for a photocall.
"He'll be here for a long time doing these things, believe you me," declared the 80-year-old Briton.
"When he first started driving I said this guy is going to be world champion and he hasn't let me down. And I think he's going to continue to be world champion.
"Whether or not he's going to win more championships than (seven-times champion) Michael (Schumacher), I don't know. Let's hope and see."
Vettel said the second place on the grid, his 10th successive front-row position, was no disappointment.
He pointed out that his KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) had not worked in the final phases of qualifying and he had done only one timed lap in final practice after problems with the car.
However he was not using that as an excuse.
"We are working very hard on the KERS. No, I didn't use it for Q2 and Q3 (second and third sessions) but I am sure we will have it tomorrow," said the championship leader who has won three of the first four races.
"It is not right to say I did not have KERS and that is why Mark is on pole. I think he deserved pole. He did a better job today but surely it was not ideal."
Vettel also took advantage after qualifying to have a quick look around the back end of Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, joking that it was nice to see Red Bull's exhaust system on more than two cars.
"Obviously, I'm not working in the aerodynamic department but it's nice to have a closer look because usually, for us, it's very difficult to get close and in Parc Ferme there are no mechanics around, pushing us away, so it's easier," he said.
(Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Settlement Statement | WordPress Tutorials
