Sebastian Vettel not worried about KERS in Turkey

World champion Sebastian Vettel insists he is not worried about KERS in Turkey this weekend, despite the problems that have afflicted the system on the Red Bull this year.

Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Vettel said, “We have had some problems but have had. That’s why for this next race I am not worried.”

Red Bull left China three weeks ago with clearly the fastest car but far from the best KERS system, after Adrian Newey repackaged the Renault based unit over the winter for best aerodynamic performance, which has been the RB7′s strength.

The repositioning of KERS elements caused cooling problems at the first three races of 2011, but team consultant Helmut Marko insisted this week that the team used the Easter break to fix the system.

The world championship leader also revealed that the RB7 will have some other upgrades for Turkey this weekend.

“When I asked the team what (new) to expect, I received many answers,” Vettel answered cryptically. “You’ll have to ask them for yourself.”

Source: YallaF1

Alonso not worried about bad season with Ferrari

Fernando Alonso has reacted cautiously to those predicting a stellar season for him in 2011.

Bernie Ecclestone and Mark Webber are reported to have tipped the Spaniard for title contention with the new F150 Ferrari, which was three tenths faster than reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel’s new Red Bull at the Valencia test on Wednesday.

"I have nothing to say about it," Alonso told Spanish reporters when asked about the championship predictions.

"Expectations are naturally high but it’s the same for all the drivers with the big teams," he said.

"What gives you some peace of mind is that you know that a bad year at Ferrari or McLaren will have you fifth, while at some other teams you might not be in Q3," added Alonso.

"So that’s not something we have to worry about.

"I like the car but it’s too early to know if it’s good enough to win," he said.

Alonso also tempered his earlier criticism of the Pirelli tyres, whilst many drivers are speaking about high degradation, inconsistency and handling problems.

"It is true that they degrade but it was worse on the first day," said Alonso.

"We have made some setup changes that have helped us, while others have improved maybe less.

"The truth is that adapting the car to the tyres is one of the main challenges."

He also dismissed reports that Renault’s new exhausts which exit near the sidepods is set to be the must-have innovation of 2011.

"There are new things with each team; Renault have that and the others have something else," Alonso answered coyly.

Source: Nextgen

Webber not worried teammate Vettel is ’superstar’

Mark Webber insists he is not concerned that it is Sebastian Vettel, and not himself, who is regarded as the star of the Red Bull team.

Australian Webber is better placed in the points standings than his German colleague Vettel, but team figures are insisting upon a situation of driver equality for the remaining two races of 2010.

Experts believe the situation is a reflection of the fact that it is 23-year-old Vettel who is the darling of the Austrian team.

"It doesn’t bother me at all," Webber said in an interview with the Italian magazine Autosprint.

"I am 34 years old and I think it’s great that I’m still at the top level and as competitive as I am," he added.

"If I was ten years younger and was getting the same results, I’m sure you’d all think I’m the superstar.

"I think the only difference is that Vettel is young. I don’t really see him working any differently than, say, Heikki (Kovalainen) at Lotus," said Webber.

"I think the best way to judge someone is to consider the consistency of their results," he added.

Source: Nextgen Auto

Alonso not worried by engine woes

Fernando Alonso is confident he will have a "reliable and strong engine" available for Spanish Grand Prix.

The double World Champion has already suffered a couple of engine failures so far this season with the latest coming during Friday practice in China.

However, the Spaniard insists the Ferrari engineers are working hard to fix the problems ahead of his home race at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona in a fortnight.

The problems with the engines? I'm not worried at all," he is quoted on the Ferrari website. "I know that the team is working hard to fix them and I'm convinced that I'll have a reliable and strong engine available, just as I know that they are giving it their all in Maranello to introduce several new solutions for the F10 for the Spanish Grand Prix."

Despite not reaching their potential so far this year, Alonso insists he is more than happy with the start Ferrari has made to the season.

"I wasn't happy with things Sunday night in Shanghai, but now, with a cool head, I can be really satisfied with this start of the season," he said.

"We didn't always gain what we could have according to our potential, but we're fighting for the title and this is what counts more than anything else, considering that in the last two years after four races it was already clear that I didn't have a chance."

Source: Planet-F1