But at the moment of fighting for the line with Chen Xiangbei, he chickened out!
Vettel wasn't so timid as to hit the brakes, but his moment of hesitation also meant he didn't fully hit the gas to push through.
In a showdown between experts, victory or defeat often comes in an instant.
It was this moment of hesitation that slowed Vettel down one car length behind Chen Xiangbei, determining the final outcome of the race for first and second place.
After the race ended, though the team radio was filled with congratulations and comfort, Vettel knew very well that his performance disappointed Marco and others. This was not the behavior expected from a champion driver.
The feeling of disappointment is far more upsetting than failure.
Regarding Vettel's mental state, Chen Xiangbei naturally was unaware and had no interest in knowing.
