Vettel: Car feels better than 12 months ago
2013 F1 season
Sebastian Vettel says the Red Bull RB9 feels better than its predecessor did this at time last year.
“I’m quite happy with the car, the balance,” he told media at Jerez after today’s test. “Quite a bit happier than where we started last year.”
“This circuit has always been a good indicator of whether you have a strong car or not,” he added. “But at this stage it’s very difficult to judge what we do compared to the rest in terms of fuel loads, etc…
“And right now to be honest we’re not that bothered going on in our team.”
Vettel was quickest for much of the day but slipped to fourth during the final hour of the test. He said the track tends “ramps up” as the week goes on, yielding quicker lap times.
But he stressed the difficulty of comparing lap times between cars:
“I think we’ve been in good shape today but it depends a lot what kind of fuel you run. Usually it’s a little bit easier with less fuel to get the lap time, especially when it’s cold.”
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Image © James Moy
nidzovski (@nidzovski) said on 19th February 2013, 21:48
Eureca!!! :D
JamieFranklinF1 (@jamiefranklinf1) said on 19th February 2013, 21:58
As I’ve said before, I’d be quite surprised if any team turned up with a package that felt worse than this time last year…
Jimmy Hearn (@alebelly74) said on 19th February 2013, 22:05
It’s all relative though
Francorchamps (@francorchamps17) said on 19th February 2013, 22:23
Exactly my thoughts when I read the title!
Max Jacobson (@vettel1) said on 19th February 2013, 22:28
Same here! My response was “I’d like to hope so” though: it wouldn’t be good if the car didn’t feel better than in Brazil I think personally!
plutoniumhunter (@plutoniumhunter) said on 19th February 2013, 22:43
Perhaps Honda in 2007? I remember the Super Aguris kicking their ***** for the beginning of the year…
plutoniumhunter (@plutoniumhunter) said on 19th February 2013, 23:24
Perhaps Honda in 2007? I remember the Super Aguris kicking them around for the beginning of the year…
Mouse_Nightshirt (@mouse_nightshirt) said on 20th February 2013, 0:40
Beat me to it!
BasCB (@bascb) said on 20th February 2013, 7:51
Ferrari had that feeling last year
JamieFranklinF1 (@jamiefranklinf1) said on 20th February 2013, 17:46
But that was because there was a rule change, and every car would be slower than their 2011 counterpart, whereas 2013 is a direct improvement from 2012.
William Brierty said on 20th February 2013, 15:06
If I was to put my “EJ” hat on, my response to this remark would be thus:
“Vettel is playing the politics game and putting a brave face on because of the disappointing speed of the RB9, and the eye-watering pace of McLaren and Ferrari. This of course means that Fernando Alonso will definitely win the championship.”
However, with no “EJ hat”, we all know this remark translates as:
“Vettel is happy, the car is amazing, Newey’s done it again and the quadruple double beckons.”
What a difference a hat makes.