Vettel: Only bad luck can stop Red Bull

With the team having seen wins and good results slip through its fingers this season thanks to unfortunate events - including a number of mechanical issues for Vettel - the it has only just moved to the head of the title standings.

But Vettel reckons Red Bull has the performance to be able to take the title - as team-mate Mark Webber's Belgian GP pole position shows - and thinks that when its luck changes then its championship assault will kick up a gear.

"We haven't been really lucky this year yet," said Vettel ahead of what could be a chaotic race on Sunday. "We had a bit of a mid-season analysis and if there is one thing that stands out it is that speed never was a problem.

"We are doing everything like we should. We are always there, we are quick enough - and mostly it has been things out of our hands, out of our control, that have spoiled our days or ruined our plans. That is how it goes sometimes.

"If you look at others, they might also not have the perfect weekend. For instance, Lewis [Hamilton] at Barcelona was solid for third and then he lost the wheel and crashed. Anyone can argue for himself that he could have got a bit more there, but in the end it is about consistency. You make out of your chances what you get.

"So far we have made the best, and even races where we probably should not have even continued or people would have said no chance to finish, like Barcelona, we got third. So, that is how it goes. I am confident. We have the speed and once the luck turns around then we should be able to convert it into wins and a lot of points."

With Ferrari's challenge for Belgian GP glory having been dented by a disappointing qualifying performance, Red Bull's main opposition appears to be McLaren - with Renault also a dark horse.

Vettel said that he was not surprised McLaren had been so strong at Spa-Francorchamps - especially with the long straights not playing to the strengths of his car.

"I think if you look at the sector times then it is more or less what we expected," he said. "We can be very competitive here. Obviously Mark is on pole in terms of performance. Both of us, we had the pace to qualify ahead - he did and I did not. But it is pretty much what we expected. Sector one is only one corner, and the rest is straight-line. And sector three is straight-line and only one corner.

"Sector two is the sector where we can fight back. We were always quick there throughout the weekend. We know in Sector 1 and Sector 3 we have a disadvantage but there is no way we can match them there - that is something we know."