Sebastian Vettel believes his second Formula One title victory has freed the team to explore a bid for a 'three-peat' next year. Vettel became the youngest back-to-back and two-time champion on Sunday when he finished third in the Japanese Grand Prix for his 14th podium finish in 15 races, regain his crown with four to spare.
It means Red Bull can now focus on building a car to help Vettel become only the third driver in F1 history to win three consecutive titles alongside legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher.
That will almost certainly see them use the four residual grands prix in Korea on Sunday, India, Abu Dhabi and Brazil as glorified test sessions. With few regulation changes for next season, the 2012 car will not be too far detached from this year's model, permit the engineers to push the boundaries and try out a few ideas.
The best thing is this season is not over yet,Vettel said.We still have four races to learn a lot, in a way a certain freedom to explore, to make sure next year we are even stronger and more prepared.
That point was emphasized by team principal Christian Horner, who said:Obviously everything we do this year we learn and benefit from for next year.So until the chequered flag drops in Brazil there'll be no change to our move toward because whatever we learn and take out of this year will apply to next year's car.
It's the only opportunity, track testing wise, we have before RB8 (the 2012 car) is born, so of course we will look to optimize all the track time we have left this year.If Red Bull and Vettel come flying out of the traps again they could take some stopping, which will only add to suggestions of them building a dynasty.
Horner is wary of such comments and is simply hoping for more of the same next year.We have had a phenomenal 2010 and 2011, we had a great 2009, and the team works amazingly well as a group of people,Horner said.
Unlike in previous years regulations are fixed, there are common tyre suppliers and much more stringent system in certain areas, so to achieve the level of presentation we have is quite exceptional.It is one we will be looking to try and uphold not only into next year, but also throughout the close of this year as well.