Vettel: « We will probably see surprises in Melbourne »

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing driver, thinks it is likely that we will witness a surprising season opener at the Australian Grand Prix at the end of the month.

The German will spend his first year with Red Bull Racing after being transferred from the sister team, Toro Rosso, at the end of last year.

Pre-season tests have been largely disrupted by very poor weather conditions, in Europe but also in the Middle East, although with dry conditions.

Vettel was the fastest in Jerez on Sunday with a time of 1.19.055, more than a second ahead of the other drivers participating. He is aware that the new season is approaching: “I think everyone realizes the situation. We lost time due to the weather, but it was the simulation work that helped make up the deficit,” he explained on the official F1 website.

Despite the accuracy of the simulations and according to Sebastian Vettel, the lack of testing may cause some disruptions during the first race. He continues: « We will probably see surprises in Melbourne. How can we think that updates on the cars with simulations are correct, the situation is very different on the track. »

The owner of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, has made it known to Vettel that he would be free to leave the team if it couldn’t provide him with a competitive car, a fact the German knows all too well: « He knows what he’s talking about. We want to do a good job, but there’s an unwritten rule in F1 that indicates your level according to your last result. »

To the question of whether his contract contains a good performance clause, Vettel replied ironically in secret: « I think you have to ask this question to my manager, but unfortunately, I don’t have one. So, I have to answer myself, being my own manager. What I can say is that I don’t talk about contracts! »

« Anything can happen. But I would be lying if I said that my goal is not to win. I am here to win! »