Red Bull stronger next year, say Vettel

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(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-03 09:26

ABU DHABI: Red Bull will come back stronger next year after ending the Formula One season on a charge, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel said on Sunday.

"I think this season was very special," the 22-year-old German said after romping to his team's third win in a row.

With Australian teammate Mark Webber holding off Brawn's new world champion Jenson Button to anchor the team's fourth one-two finish in 17 races, Red Bull consolidated their runners-up slots in both championships.

"I remember a couple of years back ... I was watching and it was pretty much set after the first couple of races who was going to win each race," said Vettel, who ends the year second overall.

"This year it was totally different, very exciting and a lot of overtaking.

"Different teams on top, so I think a special season all around and hopefully the next one will be as exciting as this one, even a bit more, we will see," he said.

"I think to sum it up we had a very good season, a lot of positive things but also some things we probably did wrong. But it is not a shame. We just need to know and understand why that happened and we should come back stronger next year."

Red Bull started the season full of hope but with little to show for their past efforts, with the team still seeking a first victory.

Brawn had emerged from the remains of under-performing Honda, who quit the sport in December, with Button and teammate Rubens Barrichello thankful just to have a drive.

Webber was still limping from a cycle accident in Tasmania that left him with a broken right leg and struggling to get back to race fitness.

By Sunday night, Vettel had clinched his fourth win of the season while Webber, winner of two races, secured the team's 16th podium of the campaign. Button was third.

"I'm certainly happy, obviously, off the back of my best season ever," said the Australian.

"Of course, I would have liked to have had some more points here and there but it could have been a hell of a lot worse for me, so I will take this season, let me tell you."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was equally jubilant. "That was the most brilliant way to finish the season," he said. "Both our drivers were supreme today.

"We've learned a great deal this year and we'll come back stronger in 2010."

Also on Sunday, Vettel played cheeky schoolboy to a grown-up Button as an end-of-term atmosphere swept the F1 paddock.

"I hear you are getting married," Vettel, with a prankster's grin on his face, said to the world champion as they sat together in a news conference after the first day-to-night race.

"Are you proposing?" replied Button.

"I heard you will get married," clarified the German, who has already built up a reputation as a lover of English humor and practical jokes.

"You know, they write great things in the press. Thank you for that one, Seb," said the 29-year-old Button, who wrapped up the title in Brazil last month, with a pained look.

"But I am going to enjoy this, as we often look too far into the future and I want to just enjoy this moment and then I will look to the future after that."

Button has been accompanied to most races this season by his Japanese-Argentine lingerie model girlfriend Jessica Michibata, with some British tabloids already wondering when he will pop the question.

Vettel refused to let the subject drop when asked later what he would be doing over the long break before testing starts up again in February. "Jenson's getting married. So he's busy," he shot back.

Webbe interjected: "And we're all invited as well, everyone. But Japan's a long way, isn't it?"

Button, whose immediate task is to fly to Beijing for the Race of Champions at the Bird's Nest Stadium in midweek before heading on to Japan for a vacation, refused to be drawn further on his love life despite continued probing.

"What's the date of the wedding, Jenson?" asked a newspaper reporter.

"I'm not getting married this year," said Button. "You don't love her?" inquired Vettel in a voice full of mock concern.

"I think some things need to be kept private in life, and that's one of them," replied the Briton.

Reuters