Vettel says retirement caused by driver error

The Ferrari driver had a frustrating time in Mexico after suffering a puncture at Turn 1. His recovery through the field was hampered by a spin early on, before another off-track moment put him out of the race.

Video footage of Vettel's race-ending accident suggested that mechanical failure could have been to blame, but the German said that it was simple driver error.

“It was my mistake,” he said. “I didn't have any issues all weekend, but then I had two in the race. Once I spun and the second time I managed to crash, so I can't be happy with how the day went.”

Asked to explain in more detail what happened before he hit the barriers, Vettel said: “I had to have a look at it, because I wanted to understand.

“In the end there was nothing wrong with the car, I went in with more or less the same speed and very suddenly lost the car.

“It was similar to the first time when I lost control. I think the car was okay to drive. We know it has been tricky all weekend but that is not blaming the conditions or the circuit.

“In the end it was my mistake for asking or wanting a bit too much. Once you lose the grip, we have seen this weekend that depending where it happens, it can be quite costly.”

Pace encouraging

Although Vettel struggled to make progress in to the points prior to his exit, he said his pace had actually looked strong.

“The race was pretty much lost without a safety car. We couldn't really come back,” he said. “But I think the car was generally good, good to drive.

“The pace was very promising, but unfortunately we were not in a spot to prove that. We were closer, compared to Mercedes, than in the last few races.

"However, in the end we didn't see the chequered flag.”