[Auto]Vettel explains his accident: "I tried to take a little more risk"

[SougarLord]

 

"In qualifying I was suffering especially in the first sector. I tried to take a little more risk, but I lost the car first in turn 2 and then in 4," admitted Vettel after qualifying at the Sochi circuit.

 

The four-time world champion lost control of his car in the fourth turn, went off the track and ended up hitting the front wing with the protections, as well as breaking the axle of his right front wheel.

 

His accident occurred with 2:15 minutes remaining in the session, which caused a red flag to be decreed and forced several drivers to try a desperate fast lap afterwards, including the British Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) who ended up winning the 'pole position'.

 

"I knew there was a bit more margin, so I tried and put more speed on, but I lost control of the car and couldn't get it back," he explained.

"I'm not happy, obviously, but compared to the morning session, the afternoon was not bad. We'll see what happens (in the race)," added the German rider, who will start fifteenth.

 

His teammate, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, was also affected, as he ran into Vettel just when he had the accident narrowly avoiding him, which prevented him from completing his fast lap, and after the red flag he did not get a lap to overcome the cut, so it will come out eleventh.

 

"It was scary (the accident), but fortunately he is fine. I am more disappointed not to enter Q3," said the Monegasque in statements reproduced by 'Autosport'.

 

Leclerc assured that he could not pass the tenth time of the French Esteban Ocon (Renault) due to a communication problem with the engineers.

 

"They told me I had Ocon behind, a second or two. I thought I had more margin. I'm angry. I have to calm down, the race is tomorrow and that's where points are awarded," added the Ferrari driver.