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Q&A: Sebastian Vettel.

Wednesday, 9th May 2007

Despite the disappointment of losing his 'third driver' ride with BMW Sauber at this season's grands prix, Sebastian Vettel still has plenty to occupy his mind, having taken over at the head of the World Series standings after a dominant lights-to-flag victory at the Nürburgring.

Despite having the disappointment of losing his 'third driver' ride with BMW Sauber at this season's grands prix, Sebastian Vettel has plenty more to occupy his mind, having taken over at the head of the World Series by Renault championship after a dominant lights-to-flag victory at the Nürburgring.

Here, the young German talks about his World Series campaign and the whether the announcement about his Formula 1 testing role will affect his racing season.

Q:
Is it difficult to switch from the World Series car to a Formula 1 car?

Sebastian Vettel:
No. In the beginning you think 'step back, step up, step back' but, when you’ve done it a couple of times, you get used to it. You can compare it to driving two road cars at home, one automatic and one manual. You’re not going to get into the automatic and try and drive it like a manual. So you get used to it.

Q:
What are the characteristics of the World Series car? How does it differ to a Formula 1 car?

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SV:
The World Series car is much heavier and it’s quite a big car. It has a lot of downforce and you can work with the set up quite a lot. Everyone has the same package, the same chassis and the same engine. It’s just the team and driver package that makes the difference.

Q:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team recently announced it is to stop running a third driver in Friday practice sessions for the time being. Is that going to affect your performance in World Series at all?

SV:
For me, to be honest, it won’t make too much of a difference. It can only be better for my World Series season. I will still have some Formula 1 testing during the season, so I will still get some experience in the Formula 1 car. The situation is how it is. Obviously, I would be very pleased to drive on Fridays, as it would give me more experience in the Formula 1 car and of the Formula 1 tracks. But I can completely understand the step taken by the team, they are aiming to improve general performance and if this is part of that process then I must accept it.

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