Schumacher happy to “learn from” Vettel in Imola Sprint

Mick Schumacher has said he was able to “learn from” his Sprint battle with Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel.

Schumacher fought Vettel in a strong comeback from 12th on the grid after being unable to set a strong lap in the second part of yesterday’s qualifying session.

It was the Haas driver who came out on top, reflecting on the battle alongside Vettel in a light-hearted manner to Sky Sports F1.

After spending much of last season at the back of the pack with no other drivers to fight, Schumacher seemed to relish the opportunity to fight the experienced four-time world champion.

Schumacher said:

“It was good fun, great seeing what he was doing in defending and stuff, so could pick up some stuff from that and learn from it.”

Similarly, Vettel reflected fondly on the late-Sprint fight, joking:

“Obviously a better end for him, but I knew he was on the medium tyre so I was struggling more and more with my soft tyres so it was a matter of time.

“I could keep him behind for a while, but, yeah, once it was time he was faster and it was fun racing.”

Schumacher will start tenth in tomorrow’s Grand Prix, the highest start of his Formula 1 career so far.

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