2020 has been an incredibly difficult year for so far for Sebastian Vettel. After Ferrari decided to replace him with Carlos Sainz for 2021, the German has been struggling to get to the grips with the SF1000. A spin on his own at the start of the second Silverstone magnified that.  

He trails Charles Leclerc 2-4 in the qualifying head-to-head and is 29 points adrift of his teammate after the first six events of this condensed 2020 season.  

It’s the worst start to a campaign for Sebastian Vettel since 2008 when he only scored points at one race (P5 in mixed conditions at Monaco). He’s recorded only one top 6 finish this year (Hungary), but the four-time World Champion has finished in the points in four of the first six events.  

Asked by Motorsport.com if this year has been his toughest in Formula 1, Vettel did not want to put a ‘’label’’ on it.   

‘’I don't think it is fair to label seasons or races. I know a lot of people tend to say this was my best race or worst race or best performance or worst performance ever. I think it is quite difficult to make that statement because there have been so many races.’’ 

"Whatever the situation is, I am sure that I trust the people around me and the guys working on my car.’’ 

"I struggled because of a lack of confidence, and that confidence is a lack of grip, so it is not just that you feel uncomfortable driving the car, when it is coming from somewhere.’’ 

"We are still trying to understand where exactly it comes from, but at the same time we have to make progress, move on and tackle it again." 

He was then queried if he’s frustrated at how his season has gone until this point.   

"Not frustrated,’’ said Vettel. 

"As I said, I've been in a happier place. I love obviously fighting at the front. I love winning and feeling that you can, you know, obviously achieve great results and that we haven't done yet.’’ 

"It will be difficult this year with the package that we have, but I think Charles has proven that still you can do good races. If you make sure you are in the right position you are also in a position to benefit from it, and then you can still get a podium.’’ 

"This is how it always has worked. And many times I've found myself on a better side. Now, lately, not so much. Overall, if you sum it up, [it] is not the best season start that I ever had. But I wouldn't go as far as frustration."