Sebastian Vettel praised Ferrari's strategy after claiming second at the Russian Grand Prix.
Vettel dropped behind team-mate Kimi Raikkonen at the start but managed to pass the Finn before the first round of pit stops. Williams driver Valtteri Bottas pitted from second position on lap 27, emerging in heavy traffic which prevented him from utilising his out laps effectively.
Ferrari brought Vettel in four laps later and, after nailing the stop in 2.2s, managed to get Vettel out ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and Bottas for what was net third position at the time. After quickly dispatching Sergio Perez with the benefit of fresher rubber Vettel had a fairly routine drive home for second, finishing five seconds behind Lewis Hamilton.
"Valtteri was dealing with traffic while we still had some juice left in the tyres," Vettel said, explaining his slightly longer first stint."It was a great stop and also a great strategy. And then after the stop it was very important to get past Sergio and the Force India. I think I surprised him with a move in a place he didn't expect it."
"The car just came alive more and more as the race went on. I would have loved to continue but nevertheless it is a fantastic result."
Vettel set a late fastest lap and had cut the gap down to eight seconds to Hamilton in front but he thinks the world champion was holding some pace in reserve.
"I think it was a very good race, the car was fantastic and kept getting better. At some point I thought maybe there was a slight chance to catch Lewis but he had so much pace in hand he wasn't really pushing at the end. Great result, it would have been nice to have both cars on the podium today -- I think it was possible today and was close. Very happy with how the race went."
With Nico Rosberg's early retirement, the result moves Vettel into second in the drivers' championships -- albeit 66 points behind Hamilton with 100 available at the final four races.