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'The win was in reach' - Vettel

ESPNF1 Staff
July 31, 2011

Sebastian Vettel had to settle for second after backing off in the final stint © Sutton Images

Sebastian Vettel reckons a win was possible at the Hungarian Grand Prix after finishing second behind Jenson Button, and revealed that he had to back off in the final stint because of some concerns with his brakes.

Button led Vettel across the line for victory by 3.5s, although the McLaren backed off on the last lap and had been nearly 10s clear. Vettel believes he could have pushed the McLaren harder, but had concerns about how his car would be handling at the end of the race.

"In the last stint I had to let Jenson go, because I did feel that I had more speed in the car, but I had a couple of problems with the brakes and it was difficult to know, with 20 laps to go, how the car would be at the end so I couldn't push as hard as I would have liked to," he said. "But still I think second place today is an important step, nevertheless I think the win was in reach and we didn't get it. We have to work hard because I think both of the McLarens are very strong in all sorts of conditions. So it's clear now that they have done a step forward and make sure we come back definitely."

Vettel started from pole but lost the lead on the intermediate tyres when Lewis Hamilton stormed past him into turn two and he ran wide. The Red Bull driver admitted his car did not feel as good in the wet.

"I was struggling a bit in the first stint on the intermediate tyres, Lewis was a bit faster," he said. "Down into turn two is quite tricky, he was pushing quite hard and I tried to be on the edge. But at some stage I realised it would be too late so I opened the car because I know the white line, and in particular the green paint afterwards, is very slippery so it was easy to have a spin.

"I lost the lead and after that the circuit was drying and we could maybe have come in a lap earlier. Then on the supersofts I was feeling quite good initially, but there was quite a lot of drop off. I think it was the same for all of us with obviously the track being quite green. I think both times I would have loved to come in a lap earlier but it was quite good fun to see both McLarens very close again."

Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)