- Red Bull
Vettel: Driving style to blame for poor 2014
Sebastian Vettel believes an incompatibility between his driving style and the Red Bull RB10 explains his struggles in 2014.
While team-mate Daniel Ricciardo has won three times this season, Vettel's best result was his second place in Singapore - his third podium of the season. In recent years Vettel was able to exploit Red Bull's rear diffuser concept to the maximum but admits he is still struggling to get to grips with the lower downforce available on the RB10.
"Every time I want to push or make something happen, it just doesn't," said Vettel. "I think it is a characteristic of this year's car in combination with the downforce we have, with the tyres. It just maybe doesn't give me yet what I want in a certain area of the corner.
"That is not an excuse, because in the end I have to get the best out of the car. We've done a lot of progress but there is a lot we can do better."
Vettel admits his struggles have given meant he's had to reign in his driving at times this year, something he thinks is having an adverse effect on his performance.
"Yes," Vettel said when asked if his struggles to adapt meant he has been under-driving the RB10. "Obviously you drive the way you think is quickest, whether that means you have to hold back or you have to push, it depends on the situation. It is not that straightforward this year and it is not always consistent, so that is the tricky bit.
"I think ultimately as a driver you would love to go faster but obviously it is different this year. I think we got in a lot better shape in the last couple of races but there are still some things where we are a little bit too much on the edge."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
