Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel says he has no regrets over his attempt at re-claiming the lead of Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which left him out of the podium places.
Vettel controlled much of the race from pole position and came on for what was set to be his sole stop on lap 30 of 51, relinquishing the lead to the yet-to-pit Valtteri Bottas.
Bottas prolonged his stint and benefited when the Safety Car was called to clear the wreckage left by the collision between Red Bull pair Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen.
Bottas was able to make his mandatory stop behind the Safety Car and retained the lead, while Vettel – who also took on fresh tyres – remained second.
Vettel challenged Bottas into Turn 1 during the four-lap shootout for victory but locked up and ran deep, dropping to fourth, and later ceded further ground to Force India’s Sergio Perez.
Vettel ultimately recaptured one position when Bottas retired due to a puncture and came fourth, and defended his decision to try and grab back the lead.
“I’m happy that I tried but I’m not happy that it didn’t work, but I have to try,” said Vettel.
“I don’t think it was an overly optimistic jump down the inside but then I was a bit trapped because I couldn’t see where I was relative to Turn 1.
“Obviously I see Turn 1 but we have our reference and they’re on the right. There’s the kerb on the ground, there’s the signs on the wall and on the left there’s hardly any reference.
“There’s just the wall and the fence but it’s all the same down to Turn 1 and once I jumped on the inside we were there and I locked up.
“I wasn’t overly late because otherwise I [wouldn’t have] made the corner at all but I did make it, just.”
Vettel relinquished the lead of the championship to race winner Lewis Hamilton but stressed that Ferrari can take solace from the pace of the SF71-H.
“This is how it goes sometimes,” he said. “I had a chance to win and I tried. It just didn't work. It was a quick decision, so there was a chance it wouldn't be right.
“Now I think we need to look ahead because we had a strong car.”
