- Abu Dhabi GP - FP2
Vettel focused on Red Bull swansong not Mercedes
Sebastian Vettel says he is not getting carried away with expectations ahead of his final grand prix with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi.
Vettel is driving for Red Bull for the final time before switching to Ferrari for the 2015 season. With Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fighting for his world championship Vettel thinks challenging Mercedes is unlikely, though he thinks it is natural the pack will be there to pounce if they hit trouble.
"I hope so," Vettel said when asked if he wanted to sign off his Red Bull career with a podium. "I guess that's why we're here right now. I don't really want to interfere with Mercedes, obviously I want to race and beat them but realistically they are a bit far away. I want to get to get everything out of myself and make sure I finish fourth in the championship.
"I think everybody can interfere [if they could], that's why we're here racing, but if you look at the last few races Mercedes is one-two if they don't have any problems. It's Formula One, it's a long grand prix and anything can happen. For sure if they have a problem we won't wait for them and wait until they go again, we will race and everyone will go past if they can."
In the last few races Red Bull has been in a battle with Williams for the final spot on the podium but Vettel will be keeping a close eye on McLaren on Saturday.
"I think McLaren has made a step forward in the last few races and the nature of this track suits them a bit better than previous tracks, but its Friday so I guess we will find out better tomorrow."
Vettel is renowned for changing his helmet regularly and wears a tribute to Red Bull this weekend, similar to the lid he wore regularly when he first entered F1 as a Sauber test driver in 2006.
Sebastian's blue-silver @redbull lid design for his final race with the Team. #AbuDhabi #DankeSeb pic.twitter.com/wCwhNUSTwZ
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) November 21, 2014© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
