Sunday: Mixed Grand Prix for Team Red Bull
The Red Bull team expected more from this German Grand Prix. Mark Webber failed to find sufficient pace during the race and the Australian driver only finished in 8th place. Sebastian Vettel, on the other hand, was more comfortable, but he was penalized by the stewards for overtaking while off the track, which deprived him of a podium finish.
Sebastian Vettel – 5th [after 20-second penalty]:
« We had a good race today even though we didn’t have the pace to catch up with Fernando, and we also lost a place to Jenson who made a good pit stop and had stopped earlier. A few laps before that, I lost time with Lewis who was unlapping himself. At the end of the race, Jenson’s tires were very worn, and we were able to close the gap. It was more a question of when rather than where, and I attempted to overtake him. He braked on the inside; I wasn’t sure where he was, I couldn’t see him at that moment, so I decided to leave enough space and went to the outside on the paint which was slippery, and I managed to stay ahead of him and pass him. My only intention was not to collide and to leave enough space. I have respect for him, and I didn’t want to squeeze him. It was nice to be on the podium for my home race, but I must respect the stewards’ decision. »
Mark Webber – 8th:
« I didn’t have rhythm today and I wasn’t fast enough. I couldn’t keep up with the drivers I usually stay with, so we’ll have to study why and do better in Budapest. I’m disappointed because I expected much more from today’s race. Usually, Sundays are good for me, but not today. After the first lap, it wasn’t too bad, I overtook Lewis, but then I wasn’t progressing. It’s a very different circuit (from Silverstone), but we’ve been fast in all conditions, but today we weren’t. »
