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Formula 1 championship leader Sebastian Vettel made no apologies to "tired fans" for Red Bull's dominant displays as he heads towards a fourth consecutive Drivers' title.
SINGAPORE, Singapore - Sebastian Vettel is 53 points ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at the top of the drivers standings with seven races remaining. Vettel is the favourite to win the 2013 Singapore GP since he has claimed the chequered flag in the last two years.
Vettel has also won the last two races in 2013 (Belgium and Italy) with the thoughts of many rival teams already turning to 2014 where a raft of technical changes are hoped will even the playing field.
'PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF RED BULL WINNING'
Vettel said: "For sure there are people who are tired of Red Bull winning but we are not and we know that there is no guarantee. We arrive here, we know we have a strong package but we have to work hard to be in the front to finish in a good position on the podium or if a win is up for grabs.
"I didn't know it was 53 (points). I knew it was more than before Monza but yeah I'm not trying to get carried away with the gap."
A win in Singapore in 2012 was the catalyst for Vettel overturning a 39-point deficit in the championship to Alonso as he went on to take the title. The happy memories and the softening of the treacherous turn 10 chicane, known as the "Singapore Sling" - of which Vettel had been very critical - make the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit one that he was looking forward to.
He said: "I want to win, I love this track, it is a love-hate relationship in a way because I love the challenge but equally you know its hard work, for sure you need to get everything right. Qualifying is very important, as it usually is on a street circuit, the race is a marathon waiting for you but its a nice challenge you know.
"They have changed one corner on the track so there is a little bit of new detail this year and you know how tough it is when you try to prepare... this is one of the most physical races we have in the season and hopefully I'm well prepared."
'I THINK MERCEDES WILL BE STRONG'
Vettel's victory in 2012 was helped by the retirement of pole-starter Lewis Hamilton, the then McLaren driver forced out while leading the race. Vettel, who has also won in Malaysia, Bahrain, Canada and Germany in 2013, said he expected a tough challenge from Hamilton again as well as his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg.
Vettel said: "I think Mercedes will be strong, Monza I don't know what happened but it was a surprise to see that Mercedes was a little bit behind, we didn't mind. Plus I think Lewis and Nico are quite strong on street circuits.
"Lewis was very competitive here in 2012, fighting for the GP before he retired, and Nico won Monaco 2013 so they will be up there this year. I want to win here, I want to focus on the race and I want to enjoy the fact that it is the only night race we have. Its different here, we haven't been here a long time but it feels like a classic already."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 Singapore GP weekend.
SINGAPORE, Singapore - Sebastian Vettel is 53 points ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at the top of the drivers standings with seven races remaining. Vettel is the favourite to win the 2013 Singapore GP since he has claimed the chequered flag in the last two years.
Vettel has also won the last two races in 2013 (Belgium and Italy) with the thoughts of many rival teams already turning to 2014 where a raft of technical changes are hoped will even the playing field.
'PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF RED BULL WINNING'
Vettel said: "For sure there are people who are tired of Red Bull winning but we are not and we know that there is no guarantee. We arrive here, we know we have a strong package but we have to work hard to be in the front to finish in a good position on the podium or if a win is up for grabs.
"I didn't know it was 53 (points). I knew it was more than before Monza but yeah I'm not trying to get carried away with the gap."
A win in Singapore in 2012 was the catalyst for Vettel overturning a 39-point deficit in the championship to Alonso as he went on to take the title. The happy memories and the softening of the treacherous turn 10 chicane, known as the "Singapore Sling" - of which Vettel had been very critical - make the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit one that he was looking forward to.
He said: "I want to win, I love this track, it is a love-hate relationship in a way because I love the challenge but equally you know its hard work, for sure you need to get everything right. Qualifying is very important, as it usually is on a street circuit, the race is a marathon waiting for you but its a nice challenge you know.
"They have changed one corner on the track so there is a little bit of new detail this year and you know how tough it is when you try to prepare... this is one of the most physical races we have in the season and hopefully I'm well prepared."
'I THINK MERCEDES WILL BE STRONG'
Vettel's victory in 2012 was helped by the retirement of pole-starter Lewis Hamilton, the then McLaren driver forced out while leading the race. Vettel, who has also won in Malaysia, Bahrain, Canada and Germany in 2013, said he expected a tough challenge from Hamilton again as well as his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg.
Vettel said: "I think Mercedes will be strong, Monza I don't know what happened but it was a surprise to see that Mercedes was a little bit behind, we didn't mind. Plus I think Lewis and Nico are quite strong on street circuits.
"Lewis was very competitive here in 2012, fighting for the GP before he retired, and Nico won Monaco 2013 so they will be up there this year. I want to win here, I want to focus on the race and I want to enjoy the fact that it is the only night race we have. Its different here, we haven't been here a long time but it feels like a classic already."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 Singapore GP weekend.