“That Was a Lot Better Back Then”- Sebastian Vettel Misses the ‘Refueling Era’ of F1

Formula 1 may have traveled a long way in terms of the growth in technology and designing F1 cars; however, not all the changes are made for the better, and Sebastian Vettel concurs.

The German recently revealed that the cars were lighter 11 years ago, which was something that he missed in modern day F1. During the press conference in Portimao, Vettel was asked about what was better in Formula 1 eleven years ago.

“I don’t know. I’m not wired that way. I don’t really look back that much. But I think I enjoyed the fact that the cars were light in 2009. We did have refueling, and the cars were generally lighter.

“I think that’s something with the current power unit we have, partly due to the safety regulations that we have to comply with, which I think is a good and positive development because the cars are safer,” Vettel said.

“But they made the heavy. Generally, the cars are heavier now. I think that was a lot better back then that the cars were so light.”

The modern-day Formula 1 cars are focused more on keeping the drivers and the engines safe during heavy crashes. Despite being heavier than the cars of the previous era, current F1 cars are way quicker around the corners.

You could push every single lap of the race in the past: Sebastian Vettel

Vettel compared the car’s weight in 2009 to the cars that are running around the tracks this year. “We had probably 650 kilos as minimum weight. And when you started the weight, you’re worth 700 kilos,” he said.

“Now in qualifying, we are already above that. So it’s a different formula just for the weight,” Vettel added.

“The consequences are different on the tires. So I think in that regard, it was better. You could really push. Like we can now push in Qualifying, you could push back then every single lap of the race.

“That was probably the biggest difference. Maybe that was one thing that was better about then compared to today.”

But the heavier cars could play a huge role at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal. The fact that there are a series of altitude changes across the track, the cars need to be solid enough to stay on the track.

The Algarve circuit will definitely be one of the trickiest tracks F1 drivers have ever raced around.