Sebastian Vettel was highly downcast in the moments which followed the Hungarian Grand Prix. Having started from a dominant pole position, the German extended a large lead in the opening stages but was caught out at the Safety Car restart.
After stretching out a 7-second advantage in as many laps as the race began, Vettel then pitted and stayed ahead of those behind him as the Safety Car was deployed on Lap 16.
However, he was then handed a drive-through penalty for leaving more than ten car lengths between himself and leading team-mate Webber – who had not yet pitted – at the restart, blowing his chances of victory in the process and being highly disgruntled upon taking his penalty.
“I mean, I didn’t understand what was going on and why I was penalised,” the Red Bull driver explained, having also been clearly frustrated when talking to the FIA’s Herbie Blash before making his way onto the podium
“It was a question mark for me. We had a very good first stint but obviously with the Safety Car it was a very late call. Usually after that it would be an easy race from there, we knew we had the pace advantage.
“At the restart I was sleeping, I didn’t hear anything – I saw the Safety Car boards and was waiting for the instruction for the Safety Car to come in. I was warming up my car and was sure we had another lap, so when at the second to last corner noticed the Safety Car was going into the pits, so I was caught out and lost a lot of momentum which, for sure, was not my intention.
“Then I got the drive-through but in the race I did not understand why. I have been unlucky because it could have been a walk in the park today, so obviously I’m very disappointed.”
Further post-race feelings from Red Bull:
- Horner: No restart instruction given to Vettel
- Webber delighted with unforeseen win
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