Thursday 30 October 2014

Vettel 'likely' to sit out Austin qualifying

(Florent Gooden DPPI for Renault Sport F1)

Reigning world champion Infiniti Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel has confirmed that it is 'likely' that he will seat out Saturday's qualifying session for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas although the team have yet make a decision on situation.

It is understood that the German will sit out the session in order for the Milton Keynes based outfit to make a full power unit change which if it were to happen would result in the four time world champion starting the event from the pit-lane. Speaking to reporters as he and team mate Daniel Ricciardo drove in downtown Austin on Wednesday Vettel said:

'I think it is to be confirmed, but, yes, we have to get an extra engine at some stage this year and very likely at this event here. Obviously we had quite a bad first half of the season in terms of reliability, with a lot of things happening, and that put us in that position.'

Vettel confirmed that the team will definitely run in practice on Friday saying;

'Obviously we had quite a bad first half of the season in terms of reliability, with a lot of things happening, and that put us in that position.'

Vettel has had an extremely difficult season in which he has secured just four podium finishes and has yet to secure a victory while team mate Daniel Ricciardo has secured three victories in Canada, Hungary and Belgium.

Vettel is currently in fifth place in the championship on 143 points while Daniel Ricciardo is in third place on 199 points.

© Ben Johnston 2014

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