Ferrari’s driver Sebastian Vettel during the qualifying session at the Monaco street circuit, on May 28, 2016 (AFP Photo/Andrej Isakovic)
MONTE CARLO, May 28 – A frustrated Sebastian Vettel criticised his Ferrari team for letting him down on Saturday after he qualified only fourth for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
The four-time champion, under pressure to end the Italian team’s barren run in the Mediterranean principality, stretching back to compatriot Michael Schumacher’s last win there in 2001, retained his composure, but was clear with his words.
The German said Ferrari should have “done a better job” and explained that instead of improving his car “just got worse” as the session progressed.
Vettel, who delivered his and Ferrari’s last victory at the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix, last September, said the team had failed to match rival teams in doing their homework and making progress.
“We started well, the confidence was there and, then, I think we struggled to extract the grip,” he said. “Unlike everyone else, we didn’t get any quicker.
“I think we should have and could have done a better job. It is what it is So, we have to focus on tomorrow.
“I don’t think we are as far behind as it looks, I think we (might have) had a crack at pole today, but not if we don’t extract the best out of ourselves.
“The car is quick, no doubt, and we started well this morning On Thursday, we were on the wrong foot.
“(There is) nothing special that the people in front have done that we couldn’t have done, but we didn’t do it.
“So, there is the problem.”
His Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen also struggled on his way to seventh place in qualifying and 11th on the grid after taking a penalty for a changed gearbox.
“The whole weekend has been tricky, a bit too much on the edge of the tyre working window,” the Finn said.
