The Game! April 2014 | Page 17

BAHRAINSPORTS APRIL 2014 ALL FOR ONE Vettel assists track marshalls in pushing his car back into the pits importance of quickly adjusting to their current situation and working together to get better from there. “It’s a big change for all the teams, including ourselves,” Vettel explained. “You always try to prepare as much as you can. But this year, with so many new challenges, it is difficult to prepare for the unknown. “Over the last couple of years, we knew what to expect. It is very difficult this year, difficult to have any sort of expectations.” Vettel has been frustrated watching the rest of the elite Formula One teams show progress during the winter. But he CAN VETTEL MAKE IT FIVE IN A ROW? a race, secure a pole or clock a fastest lap in 50 starts. He will be racing in his first Grand Prix with Red Bull in front of his home fans – something he is looking forward to enjoying. “Albert Park always tends to be a pretty exciting race,” he said. “If we went to Malaysia or Bahrain for the first race then I’d be able to ease into my career with Infiniti Red Bull Racing, but in Oz, I assume the weekend will be right up there in my face! “I’ll enjoy it and hopefully use the positive energy of the crowd to give me a good result.” In getting ready for the highly anticipated season-opener, Vettel stressed the remains upbeat that something will be done. “We have to catch up with others,” he said. “Our expectations are surely low at the moment, but once you realise you have a good car, hopefully we can race in the same area as we did the last few years. “We’ll do our best with the great people that we have working for the team. We have achieved a lot together and I know everyone is working flat out as normal.” THE GAME OUT TO PROVE HIS WORTH Ricciardo … can he be a worthy successor to Webber? sports magazine t h e g a m e 15