20/04/2012
NEWS STORY
Sebastian Vettel is to use the same new-spec exhaust layout as his teammate Mark Webber in Bahrain this weekend.
Last weekend, after the team ran back-to-back tests at the beginning of the weekend and in the final pre-season test, Vettel opted to use the old layout for the Chinese Grand Prix while Webber used the new version. Having failed to make the cut into Q3 however, and finishing fifth in the race, Vettel has now opted to follow his teammate's example.
"It's something we decided together," he told his team's website, "we believe it's the best solution and that's why it's on the car. This is the better direction to go in.
"It was good for us to do a back-to-back," he continued, referring to the final Barcelona test. "When we introduced it in testing we didn't have the best two days at the end of testing, so I think this was a fair test.
"I felt a bit happier in China, so for here, well, we only have one weekend in between and it's a bit change for myself so we'll see how we get on. We can't expect miracles with only a week between races. Hopefully we'll do a step forward in qualifying, which seems to be a little bit our weakness. In terms of race pace I think we're not that far off.
"We seem to be better in the race than in qualifying," he continued. "But it's not as if we need to find the right qualifying set up and then happy days. We need to improve the car as a whole. So we'll see where we are this weekend. We have a bit of time after that again, with the test in Mugello, and we can try different stuff there, so I think the next weeks will be crucial in determining which way we are going.
"As I have said many times I believe the potential is there, the car is quick, and once we start putting everything together I think we will feel a bit more comfortable. Then, we should be in a much better position in qualifying and in the race."