Horner: Vettel is yet to reach his full potential

By Jens Marx Sep 21, 2011, 9:02 GMT

Singapore - Sebastian Vettel can clinch back-to-back Formula One world titles on Sunday, but Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that the German is yet to reach his full potential.

'He has put everything together incredibly well so far this year. His consistency has been remarkable. And he just continues to grow stronger and stronger,' Horner said in an interview with the German Press Agency dpa ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Vettel became the youngest Formula One world champion at age 23 last year when he stole the title in the final race from Spanish Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso.

He carried the momentum into the 2011 campaign in which he has a runaway lead of 112 points ahead of Alonso from eight wins, four second-place finishes and a fourth place in 13 of the 19 races contested so far.

If all goes his way on Sunday under the Singapore floodlights, he will clinch a second title.

Horner said that Vettel may have also dominated the past season had he not been stopped by bad luck several times.

'I think Sebastian was very unlucky on occasion last year. At at least three Grands Prix in Korea, Australia and Bahrain - the races he was certain to win, he was robbed due to bad luck,' Horner said.

Horner named Vettel's dominance this year even more remarkable given that, as in all other sports, staying at the top is a much bigger challenge than reaching it.

'In many respects, defending the title is more challenging, because the expectation rises and suddenly you going from hunting to be the hunted. So I think, it is one thing getting there, it is another thing staying there.

'In 2011 Sebastian has the benefit of more experience. He learnt a lot from last year's campaign. It is easy to forget how young and how relatively few Grands Prix he has done. I think this year, he has put everything together so far tremendously well and achieved a phenomenal run of results, which has been richly deserved.'

Vettel has made all the headlines but Horner said that the team's other driver, seasoned Australian veteran Mark Webber, plays a very important role as well.

Webber, who drove for the title until the last race in 2010 and is currently fourth, has had difficult days at times with Vettel and the team. But Horner said he more than deserved another recent contract extension for the 2012 campaign.

'They are a strong pairing. Mark is a very tough competitor. He pushes Sebastian very hard. They are both at different stages of their careers. And it is a very good balance to have within the team. Therefore it was no-brainer to further the relationship for another twelve months,' Horner told dpa.

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