Sebastian Vettel: We could easily have cruised to the checkered flag

Sebastian Vettel is adamant that he could have cruised to the checkered flag if he had not suffered a rare mechanical issue during the European Grand Prix, even though a safety car period reduced his lead at the front to zero. The reigning World Champion retired due to an overheating alternator on lap 34, which gifted the lead to local hero Fernando Alonso.

However, the German driver is confident that the pace shown in the early stages of the race would have enabled him to still take victory around the Valencia Street Circuit. As it transpired, the reigning Champion heads to the British Grand Prix in two weeks time 4th in the Drivers’ Championship, 26 points behind Championship leader Alonso.

“We were really fast up until then and could easily have cruised to the checkered flag I believe.” Explained Sebastian Vettel, “We have also improved step-by-step over the weekend so I take confidence back home from this weekend rather than anger. Okay, the result is not what we expected but it was only the eighth race, so things can change every fortnight. That is probably the only constant that we’ve seen so far.”

This was the first retirement for Sebastian Vettel since the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in which the Red Bull driver suffered a puncture on his left-rear tyre and spun at turn 2. That incident was the one and only time Sebastian Vettel failed to finish a race in 2011, as he stormed to a dominant second consecutive World Championship title. In 2012, things have not been plain sailing for the 24-year-old, who has so far only won one race at Bahrain.

With team-mate Mark Webber now above him in the Championship standings, along with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel will undeniably have a tough season-long battle to remain top in Formula 1. With the likes of Lotus, Sauber, Williams and even Force India posing a threat to the big teams this season, the likes of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari will have to remain vigilant as the 2012 F1 season enters its midway point.

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