• European Grand Prix

Vettel concerned by overtaking risks around Valencia

Vettel is concerned by the risks of overtaking around Valencia © Getty Images

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• Race:
• European Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Sebastian Vettel
• |
• Mark Webber

• Teams:
• Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel thinks that overtaking around the tight Valencia circuit will be a risky proposition during next weekend's European Grand Prix.

Vettel, who finished fourth in Canada after starting on pole, says that the danger comes from the high walls around the track that maximise air turbulence when cars are close to one another.

"In Valencia, we drive an average of more than 200kph, which means it's one of the fastest street circuits in Formula One," said Vettel. "Overtaking is possible, but only with some risk. The reason is that the air turbulence created by cars driving closely behind each other doesn't disappear as it normally would due to the high walls around the track; you lose grip and, in some extreme cases, you have to lift the throttle. The start-finish straight in Valencia is special because it's not very long, it turns into a fast right corner which we take at 290kph."

Team-mate Mark Webber, who endured a frustrating time in Canada, is aiming for further points to consolidate his team's lead in the constructors' standings in this most unpredictable of seasons.

"Obviously it's very difficult to predict how we might go in Valencia, as we've clearly seen with seven winners and plenty of different podiums," said Webber. "Our main goal is to improve our positions in both championships, so personally for me in the Drivers' Championship and of course the team is looking to keep a good margin in the Constructors'.

"I know everyone in Milton Keynes has been working incredibly hard in between the two races."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.