Germany's two-time defending Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has warned his rivals to beware because he will bounce back in the next two races.
The 24-year-old lies sixth after two races, 17 points adrift of leader Spain's two-time champion Fernando Alonso, having finished second in the opening race in Australia before failing to finish in the points in the washed-out Malysian race.
However, Vettel - who could become the first driver to win the title three successive times if he succeeds this year - said he wasn't too concerned by his (and his team’s) early season showing.
“I'm confident for the next two races (the Chinese GP in Shanghai on 15 April and Bahrain on 22 April),” said Vettel, after receiving the Sports Academy Grand Prix prize for the “most outstanding sporting achievement of 2011”, as voted for by 50 sporting personalities.
SEASON STILL YOUNG
“We had a good race in Australia and in Malysia it was a bit chaotic. It's a shame I didn't get a point in Malaysia,” added Vettel, who, after the race, moaned that Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan was an idiot after a collision between the two cost him any chance of a points finish.
Vettel, though, said that the season was young and there was plenty to come from him and his car.
“There are a lot of races to come and should be in good shape,” he said. “Today I had a couple of hours in our simulator in order to prepare for China and Bahrain. However, we have to prove it on the circuits themselves.” -Sapa-AFP