Sebastian Vettel says he prioritised getting his tyres into the right window, rather than searching for a slipstream, as he missed out on pole position in Azerbaijan.
Ferrari set the pace during practice but its prospects were dented when Charles Leclerc crashed out mid-way through Turn 2.
It left Vettel as the only Ferrari driver able to participate in Q3 and he was unable to pick up a slipstream along Baku City Circuit’s two-kilometre full-throttle section that completes the lap.
Vettel qualified third, behind Mercedes duo Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, as Ferrari’s promising practice pace went unrewarded.
“It was a tough call in the end,” he said. “When the track temperature dropped the car balance changed and getting the tyres to work for that one lap, especially after such a long straight before starting the lap, was not easy.
“With the clock ticking down, everybody was banking on the last run and getting a tow so at some point I had to make the call; do I prioritise my tyres or the tow?
“It would have meant compromising the out-lap and I didn’t have the feeling that I could afford that and I wanted to have a clean shot.
“My first Q3 run was ok, but on the second run I didn’t have anybody to tow me along, so I dealt with it just focusing on my lap and obviously I lost quite a lot, about four tenths, compared to the previous lap.
“But that’s what happens at this track. It was a tricky session.”
Vettel, searching for a first win since last August, remains confident that Ferrari can take the fight to Mercedes in race trim.
“We need to turn the page as tomorrow is a new day and it’s a long race where anything can happen,” he said.
“As a team we can recover and put our rivals under pressure. Overall I feel we have a strong car so we can go and race hard and should have some fun.”
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