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Motivation will never wane - Vettel

Sebastian Vettel: "I never had to simulate motivation - that is part of my nature" © Press Association

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• Drivers:
• Sebastian Vettel

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• Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel says his motivation will never wane following his third consecutive drivers' championship.

While Michael Schumacher left Benetton after back-to-back titles for a fresh challenge at Ferrari in 1996, Vettel is set to try and win a fourth championship in a row with Red Bull next season. In an interview with the official Formula One website he said that winning the championship is not his main motivation, but that he is driven by the emotions experienced as the season progresses.

"As a team member I want us to be as successful in 2013 as we have been this year and the two previous years," Vettel said. "And personally, I never had to simulate motivation - that is part of my nature. Sure, right now it is nice to savour the title win and everything that goes with it, but what stays in your memory much more than anything else are the steps that got you there: the nervousness on the grid at the first race, the stress when it didn't work out as planned, the podiums - all these moments stay in your head forever."

Vettel also said he feels his 2012 success was founded on the results he secured when fighting for the lesser points positions when the car was uncompetitive.

"What was key this year was that we never stopped believing. And believe me, that is easier said than done. There are so many 'experts' out there making throwaway remarks about who will be the champion and who the loser, and you don't have to let that get to you. Not the positive and not the negative. You have to focus completely on your own business and never worry about what other people do or don't do.

"What some of my competitors might have underestimated - but which probably was a huge cornerstone of the success - is the understanding that every single point counts. Only three points - nearly even less - stood between first and second in the end, between having your name on the trophy again or not."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.