Vettel: Nothing to fearposted in F123 | 03 | 2011
WORLD CHAMP Sebastian Vettel heads into this weekend's opening Formula One grand prix in Australia believing he and his Red Bull team have nothing to fear from the huge uncertainty that new rules have thrown up.
With the introduction of moveable rear wings and the return of KERS — plus the complications caused by Pirelli tyre degradation — uncertainty surrounds how all the teams will perform, even following the pre-season tests.
But Vettel stated he is full of confidence as he heads to Albert Park in Melbourne for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.
"There is uncertainty maybe to know where you are compared to the others certainly," the German explained in relation to the difficulties new rules had created in trying to predict form.
"We've never had that before. This time some people brought their aerodynamic packages earlier or later. Then, apart from fuel loads which with no refuelling means can vary from zero to 160kg or more, there are the tyres which, depending on their state, new or used, and then with a couple of laps of use or quite a few, you can throw another couple of seconds in that.
"It means it can all mix up, and that is what we have seen in the tests. And that is why it has been so difficult to read how strong the others are.
"But uncertainty for ourselves? We don't need to be afraid of that, because I think we know what we have done and we should be in good shape. Now it is just the question to be answered of how we compare relative to the others.
"We had a good winter and we did lots of kilometres. We didn't really have big problems with the car, we just had some small issues, but nothing major. The winter we had was the best we have had so far.
"But in terms of how we are relative to others is a bit more difficult to say because there are some new things on everybody's car, and some new regulations plus new tyres, so it is a bit difficult to find out where exactly you are. But that is why we come here to find out on Saturday at the latest."
And Vettel, who will race for the first time with the cherished No1 on his car, is under no illusion how big the challenge will be defending his title.
"I think we all know that we start from zero again," he continued. "I know I have zero points as well, like everybody else. I might have the number one on my car but that is about what was going on last year, and it doesn't make me any faster this year. I still have to work hard and squeeze every last bit out of the car to make sure we run at the front."
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