• Australian Grand Prix

Qualifying will be 'very important' - Vettel

ESPNF1 Staff
March 15, 2012 « Force India call in Paffett as reserve | Mercedes pioneers new legal F-duct, rivals set to copy »
Sebastian Vettel: "It's usually easier when you start from the front" © Sutton Images
Enlarge
Related Links

Sebastian Vettel says qualifying will be "very important" in Melbourne and is looking forward to finding out how quick the Red Bull really is.

Throughout pre-season testing all of the teams and drivers have been cautious about making any predictions or judgements on their rivals. While Red Bull didn't carry out any qualifying simulations during the tests Vettel said he was comfortable with the feeling he has within the RB8 and that he is looking forward to seeing how competitive each team is on low fuel.

"I think, no doubt, qualifying is always very important," Vettel said. "It's usually easier when you start from the front so yeah, I think generally as the other drivers said already it was difficult to read testing one hundred per cent - so we've got a feeling: first of all it's important to have a good feeling about yourself, about the car, how you feel in the car. We were quite happy with that, surely it didn't always go to plan but overall we can be happy and as I said it's unknown at this stage what is going to happen. It's good to finally be here and only a couple of days before we really find out."

Vettel added that he didn't expect to see a true pecking order emerge in Melbourne due to the nature of the circuit.

"This is the first race, there are many more to come. This track is very different to, let's say, a 'normal' race track, such as the track we have been to a couple of weeks ago in Barcelona. So, tomorrow we will not know that much more regarding the pace."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close