Red Bull unveil RB8 as Vettel hopes for third F1 title

Feb 6, 2012, 14:35 GMT

Berlin - Sebastian Vettel will attempt a third straight Formula One world title in a Red Bull car that like all others has a distinct stepped nose, but doesn't expect to dominate as in 2011.

The world champion team unveiled the RB8 on its website on Monday, a day ahead of the start of pre-season tests in Jerez, Spain. Mark Webber will be the driver on the first two days before Vettel starts his testing Thursday and Friday.

Three rounds of pre-season testing are scheduled ahead of the March 18 season-opener in Australia.

'We'll always look back to 2011 and think how special it was,' said Vettel. 'It would be wrong to go into this season and expect 2011 to happen again.

'I think it will be very, very tight this year and anything else would be a surprise.'

Vettel raun away with the title last year, clinching it five races from the end in a commanding showing with 11 season wins and an F1 record 15 pole positions.

Vettel said that the end of double diffusers and new exhaust system rules would make racing closer.

The RB8 has a stepped nose with a slight curve, not as sharp-edged as the Ferrari unveiled on Friday but also not with the praised curved design McLaren have chosen. Ferrari and McLaren are tipped to be the biggest rivals again for Vettel and his team.

'Obviously we hope our car is better than all the others but it will be difficult. I think the cars will be fairly similar, and the gaps will be even closer than they have been,' Vettel said.

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