Vettel bounces back with fourth place in Shanghai 07 Oct 2007
Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel put the heartache of Fuji firmly behind him in Shanghai on Sunday. Vettel enjoyed a sterling drive, making up 13 places in a drizzly Chinese Grand Prix to finish fourth - the team's best result to date.
After receiving a five-place grid penalty for blocking Renault’s Heikki Kovalainen during Saturday’s qualifying, the 20 year-old started down in 17th, but an excellent start saw quickly move up to 11th in the opening laps.
“P4! A Fantastic race,” said Vettel. “Yesterday I wasn't happy with my grid penalty but today I got my revenge on the track. After the start, I used my momentum to go round the outside of several cars. Even though it was really slippery I took the risk. I kept pushing as hard as I could.”
As it had done in Japan, before Vettel's collision with Red Bull’s Mark Webber, the STR02 proved to have a great deal of pace in damp conditions. Vettel's race was also helped by the team’s clever one-stop strategy, which allowed the young German to get the better of several two-stopping cars.
“I fought with Jenson (Button), but when we realised he was on a two-stopper, I didn't worry,” Vettel explained. “The last 20 laps were unbelievable and even though I had the situation under control and slowed the pace, it was tough. When I left the factory in Italy, the guys said 'Sebastian, you must bring back some points' and I said I'd try. Now I will celebrate with the team who did a great job in the pit stops and with the strategy.”
With Vettel’s five points and the three gleaned from team mate Vitantonio Liuzzi’s sixth place, Toro Rosso move up to seventh place in the constructors' standings, two points ahead of Honda and four behind Toyota.
