Leaders not resting on laurels
Last Updated: August 27, 2011 9:04am
Christian Horner: On the attack
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has vowed to attack in the final stages of the 2011 Formula One season.
Given the considerable cushions Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel hold over their rivals in the constructors' and drivers' championships, it would be easy for team and driver to play the percentage game.
Although McLaren and Ferrari have made strides in playing catch up, it seems inconceivable the Milton Keynes-based marque and the 24-year-old German will not retain their titles this year.
Mistakes will have to be made if Red Bull and Vettel are to be denied, yet from Horner's perspective, there will be no let up.
"If you look at Sebastian's 11 races this season he's had six wins, four seconds and a fourth," said Horner.
"That isn't a bad run of results, so the target for the team is to continue that kind of scoring.
"We've seen Ferrari and McLaren are competitive, and not just in recent races, but this year has been deceptive in many respects.
"It's just that we've been able to maximise our opportunities, and the intention is for us to continue like that in the remaining eight races.
"These next two events (Belgium and Italy) have historically been our weakest venues in terms of our package given the horsepower emphasis that is placed upon them.
"But we're looking forward to the final eight races, and we intend to attack them, just as we have the previous 11 so far."
Following a run of just one win in five races immediately prior to the summer break, after starting the season with five wins in six, Vettel is aware the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is not one that suits his car.
"It is not our favourite circuit as there are a lot of straights here, more than on most of the other tracks," said Vettel.
"There are some corners, but they are all in sector two, so sector one and three are quite difficult. We have seen that in the past.
"Generally, I think we have a very good car around here, especially over the last two years, so I am looking forward to this weekend.
"The last couple of races, though, we know we might not have been on top of our game.
"But I think we have understood and learned quite a lot, so we will see where we are this weekend."
Vettel was forced to settle for 10th quickest at the end of the two 90-minute rain-hit practice sessions yesterday, the second of which was the more productive.
However, Vettel still finished almost 1.5secs adrift of team-mate Mark Webber, although given the conditions the times were arguably less relevant than usual.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, along with McLaren duo of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton all at least looked strong and ready to give Vettel a run for his money again this weekend.
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment