Ferrari driver targets "the leading group" from 20th on Sunday's grid, but Sepang history isn't on his side
Tuesday 10 October 2017 12:01, UK
Sebastian Vettel will attempt to pull off a rare feat in Malaysia GP history on Sunday as he plots a recovery drive from the back of the grid in the race.
Ferrari's world championship contender will start from 20th and last place after engine problems scuppered his qualifying session.
But, armed with arguably the strongest car in the field this weekend and an expected suite of new engine components, Vettel is confident of a drive through the field.
"I expect we will get back to the leading group," he told reporters on Saturday evening.
"I don't have an expectation in terms of a number but anything can happen - that's why we go racing."
However, if he is to join his usual front-running rivals in the top six by the end of the 56-lap race then he will have to do something only two drivers have managed in Sepang's 19-year F1 history.
Felipe Massa, who finished fifth from 21st on the grid in 2006, and Lewis Hamilton, who raced from 20th to sixth in 2010, are the only two drivers to finish in the top six at Sepang having started from 20th place or lower.
And on only three occasions in total has a driver starting lower than 11th finished in the top six positions.
A podium finisher has never started outside the top 10, while the lowest on the grid the race has been won from is eighth place.
Vettel's need for a stirring race-day recovery is acute with Lewis Hamilton already 28 points ahead of him in the Drivers' Championship and starting on pole position.
Qualifying: Lewis on pole, Vettel last...
WATCH: The moment Vettel's engine failed
Ferrari's No 1 had been favourite to set the pace in qualifying before his engine problems intervened but the 30-year-old is remaining optimistic for Sunday, despite the suddenly challenging predicament.
"I want to make sure we achieve our best. We need to extract the maximum. Knowing the race here, the conditions, anything can happen. I'm open-minded," he added.
"I don't believe in good luck or bad luck. We need to understand what happened today and make sure we understand it. The race is tomorrow so fortunately in a way it happened today and we saved some tyres and can choose strategy.
"For sure if the Safety Car comes out in a time that suits you then you never know what is possible. I haven't seen any simulations yet but in terms of speed we should get back to the leading group and then see how far."
