VETTEL - AVERY MODERN F1 CHAMPION
LONDON, June 14, 2013 (AFP) -Bad news for Sebastian Vettel's rivals -- not only has he extended his contract but Red Bull are confident they have finetuned their car for Europe's high speed circuits.
The triple champion's consummate triumph last weekend in Montreal proved both he and his car are back in the groove after problems in Spain, where they led on the high-speed sections at the Circuit de Catalunya but came in fourth.
“I think that obviously set-up wise we made some progress here and we hope that that will continue into the Silverstone weekend,” said Red Bull team chief Christian Horner in Canada.
“Malaysia also had very quick corners and we were strong there so I think we have understood some of the issues we had that, unforeseen disasters notwithstanding, Vettel is going to become a better, faster and more supremely confident champion driver for at least the next two years.
Afer that, as he has readily admitted, who knows?
By the end of 2015, he may have won six drivers' world championships and grown bored with the annual ritual of maintaining German domination in a sport that has seen him break every record.
He may extend his contract again, of course, and continue for another five years. If he did, and stayed as dominant as he is, he could have accumulated eight titles and overhauled his friend, mentor and compatriot Michael Schumach- in Barcelona, and hopefully we can carry this form into the next few races.”That means the heartland races of the European 'season' at which the controversial issue of tyre-wear may be Vettel's only problem.
The Canadian Grand Prix, however, demonstrated that Vettel and Red Bull look to have sorted out that problem too.
In seven races this year, in a car that has needed some tweaking and developing, he has won three times to lead the title chase.
As a package, that adds up to confirmation er's record of seven titles.
Teasingly, he said last week that might be enough.
“Perhaps I will no longer be driving in five years' time because I no longer have the urge to,” he told German newspaper Welt Am Sonntag.