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Red Bull star backs Renault engine
Formula 1, 11:13, February 11, 2010 ,
Sebastian Vettel has played down fears that Red Bull's Renault engine could scupper his bid for the Formula One title this year.
The 22-year-old German is hoping to go one better than last season when he finished runner-up to Jenson Button in what was only his second full F1 championship campaign. However many felt Vettel could have snatched the crown away from Button had engine problems not hindered him.
Red Bull considered a switch to a Mercedes but opted to remain with Renault for this season and Vettel is confident those problems will not be repeated this time around.
"We will try to do our best. We had some problems with reliability last year, which didn't make it easier - especially for me. But I think we have solved those," he said.
"You could see that towards the end of the year; yes we were limited on mileage and it was a compromise but we managed to get through the season without a penalty.
"Performance-wise, I think sometimes it looked worse than it was, so we will see. We are confident, we have no reason to fear a weakness from the engine."
In the meantime Vettel is relishing the new season, which gets underway in Bahrain on March 14, as he looks to live up to his billing as one of the title favourites and go up against fellow countryman Michael Schumacher, who has come out of retirement with Mercedes.
"Obviously I hope we are as strong as we were last year, or even stronger," he added.
"Then you've got teams - McLaren, Ferrari - who look very competitive already, and Mercedes with Michael. It's going to be an interesting season."