Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz believes Sebastian Vettel has matured as driver – Formula 1 news
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz believes that Sebastian Vettel has grown into a very strong and mature Formula 1 driver.
Mateschitz believes that last season was a sharp learning curve for the young driver. Vettel won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. While 2010 was a closely fought out for the battle the German blew away his competition in 2011 by dominating with 11 wins
in the season.
Many have pointed out that because the Red Bull car was clearly the quickest on the grid it has allowed the German to be so dominant. The 2012 season has changed a few regulations and they include barring the off-throttle blown diffuser which was mastered
by Red Bull to perfection. The regulation change means that Red Bull car will not be as dominant as it has remained for the last couple of seasons.
Mateschitz though believes that even though the regulations have changed Vettel will still be a strong contender for the title as long as the new edition of the Red Bull car, RB8 remains competitive.
“Sebastian has got better and is stronger than ever,” Mateschitz told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He has trained over the winter break like he never did before now and he certainly won't disappoint. What he needs for the third title is a competitive car and
we will be able to evaluate in the first tests in Jerez (in February) where the team is heading.”
The Red Bull owner did not forget Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber and said that he expects even though he was only able to win a singular Grand Prix the Aussie will come back strongly to give a stiff challenge to the German and other drivers on the grid.
“Mark is one of the best. His age is relative and he's one of the physically best prepared drivers...with a new number one mechanic at his side he will certainly not make life easy for Sebastian,” he said.
Webber’s contract ends at the end of 2012, while there has been speculation that Webber might lose his Red Bull seat at the end of the season there has not been any indication from the Red Bull camp over it. Webber though will definitely be looking to give
a strong performance in the season to clear any apprehensions over his place in the team beyond his contract.
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