F1: Vettel Still Cautious Despite Early Pace

Formula 1

F1: Vettel Still Cautious Despite Early Pace

Sebastian Vettel is taking his pace-setting time from Day One in stride...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted March 15, 2013 Melbourne (AUS)

Sebastian Vettel is the reigning three-time World Champion. (Photo: Getty Images)

Sebastian Vettel was keen to keep a lid on expectations despite topping the times on the first day of the season in Melbourne.

Vettel was fastest in both FP1 and FP2, and in the latter he was some 0.4s ahead of Red Bull’s nearest rival, the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg. He also hit traffic on his run on supersofts and thus could have been even faster.

“It was a very good day, considering it was the first day of the season,” said Vettel. “We didn’t have any problems, no major dramas. We know a little bit more than yesterday, that’s for sure, but I think we have to be aware of the fact that conditions can change. A couple of degrees make a massive difference with these tires.

“For today, I think we were very happy, but tomorrow could be another day. I think there’s room for improvement, but we need to keep our eyes open, and then we see what happens.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 28th season as a racing journalist in 2012. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.