Ferrari will at least be able to add new engine components to Vettel’s auto ahead of Sunday’s race, with grid penalties no longer an issue given he is already at the back of the field.
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“We had such a hard day yesterday, it was hard to know where we stood”, Hamilton said. “You can compare Malaysia a little bit to Silverstone, where we have been very good. I don’t know if it’s legit or they are playing some games”. “I’m surprised to be up here”.
In 2012, Fernando Alonso took victory from ninth place on the grid – this year the Spaniard starts from tenth – so Vettel may find it hard just to reach the top ten and a point paying position.
“This was a Lewis lap”, said non-executive chairman Niki Lauda.
“My goal is to make sure I do the better job each weekend, which is not always the case, and Valtteri’s getting stronger with understanding the vehicle”.
Speaking to Sky Sports television, Wolff said the team had struggled from the start and in both wet and dry conditions with a temperamental vehicle he has previously described as being a bit of a “diva”. “Maybe we shouldn’t underestimate the driving factor”.
Formula One world championship leader Hamilton finished the morning session in sixth place, with Silver Arrows colleague Valtteri Bottas in P7 on a damp track at Sepang International Circuit. The team split their set-ups on Saturday, with the Finn using the new parts and Hamilton reverting to an older set-up.
“It’s been a very hard day”, sighed Lewis Hamilton. The guys worked a miracle today and did the change successfully in time.
“Last year there were a lot of mistakes, this year I’m trying to make sure I stay focussed and not make many mistakes”, Hamilton said.
Prior to Saturday’s session, Lewis Hamilton failed to even break into the top 5 in three practice sessions.
“I don’t think it’s the upgrade issue [for Valtteri]”, Wolff told Sky F1.
The Briton won’t need to win another race this season if Vettel, a record four-time victor in Malaysia, finishes lower than second on Sunday.
“Red Bull have really stepped up their game in the last race and coming here”, said Hamilton. Up until qualifying the vehicle had lacked grip, inducing slides through high-speed corners, which in turn overheated the tyres. “Tomorrow is a long race and it will be tough for tires”.
He will start at the back of the grid despite being consistently quickest during practice.
“I think it would have been more hard if I would have lost the vehicle somewhere in the race, then it is obviously different”, he said.
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His teammate Kevin Magnussen had his running limited when the team recalled him to the garage after it suspected a problem with the engine but he got back out on track and clocked the 13th quickest time.
