Vettel: I don’t know why I was asked to stop
3 November, 2012
Sebastian Vettel stops out on track at the very end of qualifying
Nov.3 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s run of superb form came to a grinding halt in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, although he qualified third on the grid he came to a stop on the side of the track, before hitching a lift back to the pits in the safety car.
Note: Vettel was relegated to the back of the grid for a fuel irregularity after qualifying. Report here>>>
Crucially for Vettel fans, the championship leader is ahead of his title rival Fernando Alonso on the grid, enquiring of a reporter immediately after qualifying third: “Is he [Alonso] sixth?”
But it has been far from smooth sailing in the desert heat. Red Bull is struggling to keep up with pole sitter Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren, and Vettel was also outpaced on Saturday afternoon by his own teammate, Mark Webber.
Earlier, Vettel was stuck in the pits for most of the important third practice session with a serious brake problem. He explained, “It’s probably some problem. It shouldn’t be something major. This morning wasn’t ideal not being able to run.”
A few hours later, right at the end of qualifying, he pulled to the side of the track under the hotel complex and hitched a lift with safety car.
“I don’t know why,” he said. “I was asked to stop.”
Team boss Christian Horner revealed that engine, KERS and alternator supplier Renault ordered the stoppage, but paddock speculation suggested that Vettel may have simply run out of fuel — which could cause him to be sent right to the back of Sunday’s grid.
“There was a request [from Renault] but at the moment I don’t know why,” Horner told the BBC.
It should be noted that Renault’s problems with its 2012 spec alternators have been well documented, and the French marque’s Remy Taffin confirmed in Abu Dhabi that an all-new specification will not be ready to debut until Austin.
“That’s the work we’ve achieved so far, that’s where we are,” he said on Friday. Technical troubles aside, Vettel is the championship contender looking most under pressure in Abu Dhabi, with commentators saying he made more mistakes on Saturday than he has for several entire race weekends.
Asked on Saturday about Vettel’s problems in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari’s Alonso admitted: “In terms of our championship hopes, it always helps.”
The Spaniard will start seventh on the grid.
Subbed by AJN.
Related posts:
- Yas Practice 2: Vettel owns the first night as McLaren chase
- McLaren believe Webber will move over for Vettel if need be
- Hungarian Grand Prix Preview: Who can stop Alonso?
- Red Bull: It was the right thing to stop qualifying in Q2
- Top drivers telling lies when asked about prospective teammates?
Butterfly
Grow up lad
@McHare:
You need to get laid, stat.
Butterfly.
Maybe you didn’t see Alonso waving his arms at Webber to get out of his way even though he was about 4 seconds down the road. The guys an idiot! Guess that’s what saying
Now you know why
@McHare:
Are you trying to say something?
Funny to see Alonso complaining about there being a car on the same circuit as him while he was trying to complete his qualifying lap. Should have qualified during the curfew with the rest of his team.