Vettel finished Q3 training in 10th place after temporarily showing during qualifying that the potential on the grid could be even higher.
It was the first time in 2021 that Vettel outperformed teammate Lance Stroll – the Canadian who ran a new aerodynamic package failed to finish the first quarter in 17th place.
The Portuguese session also marked the first time Vettel reached the third quarter with Ferrari since last year’s Grand Prix of Great Britain, a period of 16 races.
Although he was in eighth place in the first quarter, Vettel insisted that he and the team should be happy with tenth place as there are clear signs that they are making progress together.
“I wasn’t completely satisfied with the last lap. I think the conditions have changed a bit,” he said when asked about his performance by Autosport.
“Maybe the round on the used set didn’t help to keep the rhythm going. But overall it was definitely better.
“In qualifying you shouldn’t think about your lap, just execute it.
“It felt a bit more like that. Still, I think I have to improve more on my part.
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
“In the end, there aren’t many laps in qualifying when the engine is turned up, there are new tires and little fuel is used. So it’s only a handful of laps per weekend.
“But it definitely seemed to help me understand what the car needs or where to place the car to be faster. Today was a little better in that regard. But still not the ideal result, we want both cars in the third quarter and above.
“But we can’t be too greedy at this point. We know we still have a lot of work to do on it. In terms of qualifying, it was a little better for me. “
Vettel admitted that he was more comfortable with the car than in previous races.
“Probably yes, despite the difficult conditions,” he said when asked if he was feeling happier.
“Things started to click a little more than before, which is good. But today was a very difficult day, the car is everywhere.
“But as I said, a little better overall. I was a little happier with my driving. “
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