Vettel: Test was "good timing" after tyre struggles

Sebastian Vettel says that the Barcelona test was well timed for him and Ferrari because of the difficulties they faced with the tyres at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The German completed 134 laps on the first day of practice before handing over to Antonio Giovinazzi on the second day.

Vettel’s chase for a fifth world title and first with Ferrari has hit a rough patch, failing to make the podium in each of the last three races, with rival Lewis Hamilton winning two of those.

Ferrari struggled to adapt to a change in the tyres, which some cynics have claimed was a move from Pirelli to favour Mercedes.

However, Ferrari cannot blame tyres for the strategy blunder that cost Vettel two positions and six points by bringing him in for a second stop.

Vettel was happy with the test, saying: “It’s good to have the test to be able to compare and I think we have some ideas. Now it’s up to us to turn those ideas into reality.

“It was good in terms of timing, coming from a poor weekend for us, as we were not quick enough and more than not being quick enough, we were struggling to make the tyres last.”