Coronavirus had big impact on Vettel: 'Wise not to race'

For Sebastian Vettel, the 2022 Formula 1 season has not gone as he had hoped. Due to a covid infection, he had to watch the races from the couch at home and that was a crazy sensation for the four-time world champion.

Vettel is back

After the test days in Barcelona and Bahrain, Vettel was all set to start the new season at the Bahrain Grand Prix. A positive covid test however spoiled the chances and he also had to miss the race in Saudi Arabia.

The Aston Martin driver told German Sky Germany that he really didn't feel well. In his own words, he rarely gets sick, but he really didn't feel well with the covid infection. It was therefore the right decision not to race, but he did watch the Grand Prix on TV.

At home in front of the television

''It was strange to see,'' Vettel commented at the press conference. ''It's interesting to see how it works from that side. Nico did very well without preparation. I myself was part of all the meetings and listened to the drivers to make the best of it,'' said the German.

Even though Vettel has not been in the car himself, he knows that Aston Martin is nowhere near where it would like to be. ''It's no secret that we're not where we want to be. We still have a lot of work ahead of us and hope to learn even more this weekend to better understand the problems,'' Vettel concludes.