Sebastian Vettel was left feeling mixed emotions after an excellent performance in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The German did very well to reach Q3 – something he and his Aston Martin team have been struggling to do this season. This result meant he preserved his perfect record of top 10 starts at Suzuka throughout his Formula 1 career.
He will start Sunday's race ninth on the grid and in a promising position to be able to score some points driving at his favourite F1 venue for the final time. Reacting to the qualifying result, he admitted it had left him feeling a twinge of regret about retiring from the sport.
"It is so much more fun around here than at the other circuits," said Vettel. "The cars and the speeds are great – but at this place you feel alive. I have enjoyed it so much over the years – and I had a wonderful day today.
"We will see what we can do tomorrow, but I am just very happy about today. At the same time, I am a bit sad – because it is the last time I will ever tackle this track in qualifying trim. I do not mind if it rains tomorrow – I cannot influence the weather!
"But I think wet conditions would probably be a bit better for us. Still, we had a strong day today and I think we can make a difference managing the tyres whatever the weather. Laps like these make me feel sad about leaving F1."
Things went less well for his Aston Martin team-mate, however. Lance Stroll just could not find the same pace in qualifying and was dumped out in Q1, destined to start the race 19th on the grid with only Nicholas Latifi behind him.
The Canadian pointed to an error he made during his flying lap as the cause of that result, and is hopeful of a better day on Sunday. "Unfortunately, I locked up in the hairpin at Turn 11 and lost three tenths, and that was the difference between us making it out of Q1 today," he explained.
"However, the car was good to drive, and it was great fun out there driving Suzuka in the dry once again. It is not ideal to be starting from 19th, but tomorrow is a new day and we will see what we can do in the race. If the weather does turn wet again as it did on Friday, it will provide some good opportunities for us to move up the order."
