Sebastian Vettel has reflected on a lonely Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in which Ferrari lacked the pace to be able to match or challenge Mercedes for the win in the final race of the 2017 season.
Vettel qualified in third place for the race, half a second down on Mercedes, however, remained optimistic heading into the final round of the season and believed that the Scuderia would be closer to the Silver Arrows in race trim.
This hope did not become a reality on race day and Vettel finished on the final step of the podium in third, just under 20 seconds adrift of Valtteri Bottas who went onto win and finishing ahead of Kimi Raikkonen by 25 seconds.
"I think I had a good start but no where to go, I locked up and flat-spotted the first set of tyres a tiny bit," said Vettel post-race. "But then after three, four, five laps I just couldn’t go any faster and they seemed to pull away and from there onwards it was a bit lonely.
"But after that I have to say in the second stint I really got into the rhythm and I think we had stronger pace in the second half of the race but…not good enough to match those two guys."
Vettel then reflected on his season and title challenge, admitting that Lewis Hamtilton was more deserving of this season's Drivers' Championship: "As to Valtteri, I’m very happy for him, and again, very much congratulations to Lewis for this season. He deserved to win the championship this season and, I hate to say it, he was the better man.
"I’m sure we’ll do our bit over the winter and hopefully come back stronger. Last thing, thanks to all the fans, the support for Ferrari has been incredible, so thank you very much. Forza Ferrari."
