Q & A with Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel: It has been good so far. Obviously there was some bad weather, but things like this can happen also on race weekends so you have to prepare for all conditions. The feeling in the car is good and I feel happy.

Obviously we have some more teams so we have a bit more of a reference, but still it is difficult to say (where people are) as you play with fuel loads. I think we did a good job and we should be in good shape for the next test, but there is still a lot to do. Finally we will see in Australia where we are.

Q. Do you feel ready to win the championship this year?

SV: Ha! If you are speaking about that, then everything needs to be in perfect shape and running smoothly. We are not the favourites - the favourites are red and silver - they are Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes. It is a long way to get to that position, but we are working hard. We have great potential, the car seems to be alright so let's see. If we have a package that is strong enough to win, then we have to win - otherwise we are doing a bad job.

Q. But you look a lot closer than you have done in other years?

SV: This is difficult to say. It is very early. It is only my second year so I don't have a great deal of experience, but for instance last year Williams were looking very, very strong before the season. In Australia they finished on the podium, and a couple of weeks later no one was speaking about them any more. So in winter testing, you always have to keep your feet on the ground. There are a lot of things coming for everybody. There are new bits for Australia, so we have to wait until then.

Q. How do you like to drive these new cars?

SV: They are sliding, and more nervous, but the difference is not too big. We have some new tools to play with - KERS system, and a front wing adjustment. But you adapt quite quickly.

Q. Is it very different in the wet?

SV: No. Not really - the tyres are the same in the wet so it is not a big step. You have less grip because you have less aerodynamics, so it is easier to lose the car. But it is not too much of a change.

Q. How confident are you on the reliability of the car?

SV: It should be alright. We had some minor problems on the last two or three test, but I think we will sort it out. On the first day we had to cancel the race simulation and the second day we succeeded. You always have some small things on a new car, but we should be in good shape when we put it together and go to race in Australia.

Q. How many more updates do you expect there to be?

SV: Hopefully plenty. The team is pushing very hard. The whole design crew is working hard - and our car from the outside looks quite nice, but still we have to prove that it is fast as well. The feeling is alright, the performance seems to be alright, but we will see in Australia. We will get some new bits hopefully for Barcelona, if not for Australia, but how much of a step in the right direction that will mean we will wait and see. You always have some numbers but you have to prove it on the circuit.

Q. Have you been running with KERS?

SV: Not today, but we have been running with KERS in the last test. It has been very successful - we have had no big problems. It is interesting, you push the button and you have some more power, some boost.

Q. Do you think it can really make some different in terms of overtaking?

SV: It is difficult to say. It is not the case that at the end of the straight you push the button and you fly past the other car. Obviously towards the end of the straight, you don't feel this 80bhp much, but perhaps you can use it out of the corners at the right point. If the other car doesn't use KERS, then maybe you can get an advantage, but once the field is separated you will still have your usual gap.

Q. Will it make a big difference off the start?

SV: You are allowed by the regulations to use it above 100km/h. Before that you are struggling for traction, so it doesn't make sense to use it earlier. It can make quite a big difference. It will help for sure, that is not a big secret, but we will see in the end how much it will affect the racing.