Vettel sure Mercedes will be “back to full force” in qualifying

2017 Monaco Grand Prix

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Mercedes will rebound from their poor showing in second practice at Monaco, Sebastian Vettel believes.

The Ferrari driver headed the second practice times by almost half a second as the two Mercedes driver languished in eighth and tenth.

Monaco Grand Prix practice in pictures
“I don’t know what happened to them today,” said Vettel after Thursday’s running concluded. “It was a bit weird.

“I’m pretty sure there’s a reason and they will be back to full force on Saturday.”

Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff said the team had made a set-up change between the two practice sessions which compromised them in the afternoon.

“We couldn’t back out of it,” he told Sky. “We’d committed to the set-up change, that’s pretty dramatic, you need a couple of hours to undo that, more than a session would last. So we decided to push through, collect some data.”

“The issue was an overall lack of grip which the drivers complained. Not even just the front or just the rear, we just went out of the window everywhere.”

Vettel expects Ferrari and Mercedes could face a third opponent in qualifying at Monaco. “It will be close also with Red Bull,” he said.

“Around here it’s important to have a good feel for the car to get the lap together. So you cannot always go with the one time you set at the end of the day. We managed to put it together and we’re quite happy.”

The Ferrari driver added he was unaffected by his early setback in qualifying. “We got out a bit late which wasn’t scheduled. But nevertheless we got the answers we wanted. It was a productive day.”

2017 Monaco Grand Prix

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    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    6 comments on “Vettel sure Mercedes will be “back to full force” in qualifying”

    1. Mercedes has the “troll mode” button installed on the steering wheel. Specially in free practice.

    2. petebaldwin (@)
      25th May 2017, 15:47

      I’m not convinced “quali mode” will be enough to guarantee them pole this time. They won’t gain as much from the extra engine power compared to other tracks so I think Vettel will be on pole.

    3. Vettel ” Mercs will come back in full force”

      Hamilton ” Ferrari s are too fast ”

      If someone who doesn’t follow F1 were to read this they would think Vettel is in the Merc and Hamilton drives a Ferrari.

      1. @redbullf1
        Yeh so be sure to quote them correctly if you want people to get the meaning behind it.

        People reading Alonsos “It was the best lap of my life” will think hes having a good time and Mclaren is doing great.

    4. I dont know who will take the lead in Q1 but damn, the start of the race if what i guess is right, will be full of crashes before the turn 1, and safety car for maybe until 13-15laps until everything cleared… then pretty boring race there after… maybe a few pit stop drama minor/major… rest will be SSDD :)

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