Vettel “upset and angry” after falling in Q1 on Aston Martin debut

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel was left “upset and angry” after crashing out in Q1 for the Bahrain Grand Prix during his first qualifying session with the team.

Vettel entered his final flying lap in the bottom five before having to yield when Nikita Mazepin spun in his Haas and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari came to a standstill, with both incidents bringing out yellow flags to leave the four-time world champion 18th.

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The German, who endured a difficult final year with the Scuderia last season, conceded he was left frustrated as his misfortune carried through to the new campaign.

“I think there was potential to be a lot faster,” said Vettel. “I just made it past the flag but I had the issue with yellow flags during the lap which made it impossible to come back but it is what it is for now and we will see what we can do tomorrow.”

Asked if he was panicking, Vettel replied: “If I panic now, would it help? For sure, I am upset and angry that it wasn’t our fault not to make it through but we have to take it and do what we can.”

Aston Martin has struggled since the beginning of the pre-season test at the same venue, although Lance Stroll reached Q3 for the team for the season-opener.

Vettel added: “I think the quali was good and I felt positive.

“I only got a lap and a half but I think we still have a lot of work ahead of us. We would have hoped for a better start but it is what it is, hopefully, we can have a good race and come up quite a bit.”