Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel says he was “pushing” throughout the Spanish Grand Prix as he missed out on victory to Mercedes opponent Lewis Hamilton.
Vettel claimed the lead at the start and maintained his advantage through the first stint, after which he stayed on Softs, with Hamilton moving onto Mediums.
At the second, and ultimately final, round of pit stops, Hamilton returned to Softs, with Vettel switching to Mediums, for his mandatory stint on the white-banded compound.
Vettel and Hamilton diced into Turn 1, with Vettel remaining ahead, but Hamilton breezed past a few laps later, with the order maintained through to the chequered flag.
“I was pushing, I was pushing,” said Vettel, having had his title advantage cut to six points.
“I had a very good start, I think Lewis and myself both picked up wheel spin straightaway, then I picked up the clutch again and then I could gained on him.
“I was really happy with that, the run to Turn 1 was quite long but I managed to stay ahead.
“I settled into a nice rhythm, it was fine, obviously Lewis stayed out longer and did the opposite.
“I knew at the end it would be crucial, then he came out [of the pits] and I was a bit surprised when he came out, it was so close, I tried to brake as late as possible in Turn 1 and locked up.
“I don’t know if we touched, I managed to stay ahead, so it was really close, then I was doing all I could to stay in front.
“I was a bit lucky as there was a car in front giving me a tow, then I was alone and he flew past.
“It was a shame, we tried to stay in the race, well done to him, we did everything we could.”
