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Vettel expects Red Bull F-duct boost

ESPNF1 Staff
June 19, 2010 « Stoneman storms to Zolder pole | »
Sebastian Vettel had a rear view of Lewis Hamilton in Canada © Sutton Images
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Sebastian Vettel is confident the installation of an F-duct system will enable Red Bull to challenge McLaren in next week's European Grand Prix.

Red Bull showed tremendous pace at the start of the season, but reliability issues prevented the team from streaking away at the head of the championship. McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have been first and second respectively in the two most recent races in Turkey and Canada, to suggest a shift in the balance of power.

The European Grand Prix on the streets of Valencia is expected to play to the strengths of the McLaren, but Red Bull is ready to add its F-duct to the car.

Red Bull used its initial version of McLaren's downforce-stalling F-duct concept in practice for the Turkish Grand Prix, but decided to develop it further rather than take it to Canada. Technical chief Adrian Newey has had a fortnight to iron out any issues and Vettel expects to see an improvement in performance.

"There [Valencia], with the F-duct system we are getting an important part on the car," he told Germany's Auto Bild Motorsport. "Our technical chief Adrian Newey did not come to Canada in order to put the finishing touches on the new system at the factory."

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