Vettel out to make most of big break - EXCLUSIVE.

by Russell Atkins

Sebastian Vettel says he will be expecting the unexpected as he heads into his first complete season as a fully-fledged Formula One test-driver, a position he hopes will launch him on the path to a long and successful career in the top flight.

The German finished as runner-up to Paul di Resta in the F3 Euroseries last year, taking four victories en route - including a double in his home event at the Nurburgring in August - but ultimately missing out on the crown by a scant 11 points at the end of a season-long battle with his Scottish rival. Now, however, his sights are set on bigger and better things still.

"It's fantastic," he enthused to Crash.net about his third driver role. "First of all I can get even more experience in a Formula One car throughout the season, and all the guys there are very motivated and looking forward to the new season. It's just great to enter Formula One and see how people work there.

"At the same time, though, it's not an easy job. I'm the test-driver, developing the car, but in case anything happens I have to be ready and fulfil my job without any mistakes at all. You have to be 100 per cent both physically and in your head. It's a big thing, but I'm really looking forward to it. I have to get the most out of it."

The 19-year-old made his maiden appearance as a Friday driver at the Turkish Grand Prix last year, after his predecessor Robert Kubica was promoted to a race seat at the squad following the dismissal of Jacques Villeneuve. He insisted it had not been a major deal, however.

"You just sit in the car and do your job," he explained in matter-of-fact style. "Everything else is out of your hands. I had no expectations in Istanbul and didn't want to make any kind of mega hype out of it; I didn't try to do anything special. I just had a lot of fun driving the car and learnt a lot in those last five races."

Vettel will be dovetailing his Formula One testing commitments with racing for front-running outfit Carlin Motorsport in the World Series by Renault during the course of the year. He does not, however, foresee any difficulties in balancing the twin duties, and is confident he is up to the task in hand.

"I don't think it will be a problem," he stated. "I got used to it last year when I did both F3 and Friday testing in Formula One at the end of the season. Unfortunately the FIA have restricted testing a bit this year so there's less driving, but this will help me in the World Series. Of course there's a difference between the cars, but there are no big issues with clashes or anything like there would be with GP2.

"World Series is a big step. It's a much bigger car, even bigger than a Formula One car. It has big slick tyres and is a lot of fun to drive. There's no traction control either. It's just an old-fashioned racing car and I'm very excited."

Looking back over his Euroseries campaign, Vettel said although he had not succeeded in conquering his ultimate goal of lifting the crown, he had nevertheless been satisfied with his performance in the ultra-competitive category.

"The championship was my target throughout the whole season," he acknowledged. "Right from winter training and testing the aim was to win the title. It was a bit of an up-and-down season both for him and for me. Of course it was disappointing at the end of the year to finish second, but I think I can still be happy with what I achieved."