Vettel: It's a shame the bumps are gone...
Sebastian Vettel has offered a lukewarm assessment of the revised Hungaroring following free practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, saying it is a shame to lose 'the typical Hungary bumps'
The four-time champion ended FP2 third fastest as Ferrari found itself in competition with Red Bull for a 'best of the rest' role behind Mercedes, Vettel three tenths adrift of second place Daniel Ricciardo but almost a second in arrears of pace setter Nico Rosberg.
Indeed, though Vettel says the SF16-T 'felt fine' in FP2, he says there are improvements to be made in all areas overnight.
"We need to better in sectors one, two and three - there is not one sector that stands out. As I said, I am not entirely happy with the balance, so naturally if the balance comes more together I think we can improve overnight and improve in sectors one, two and three. It's not a surprise that Mercedes is good.
"We lost a bit of time in the beginning with the red flag it was not ideal. We had to come in a couple of times and re-programme the car, so we had to come in and go out, but we were able to fix it so that's good news. We lost a bit of the rhythm, but it was OK and the car felt fine and I think we can improve the set-up for tomorrow and find a better balance in the car."
On a weekend that has seen Vettel - winner in Hungary last season - scathingly criticise the move by the FIA to tweak the radio rules and introduce an electronic track limits detection device, he was also left unimpressed by the smoother surface of the Hungarian circuit.
"It's a shame because a lot of the bumps are gone," he continued. "It was typical Hungary to have a very bumpy track and I hope in a couple of years the bumps will come back. It's very grippy, so obviously it's nice to go faster."