Driver tension gone because Vettel faster - Lauda

There is little tension in the Red Bull driver line-up this year because Sebastian Vettel has the clear upper hand.

That is the belief of outspoken former triple world champion Niki Lauda, who predicts that Mark Webber will also struggle to keep up with his teammate in Monaco this weekend.

"No. Vettel is simply faster than Webber," the great Austrian told Cologne tabloid Express when asked if the high conflict between the pair seen in 2010 might soon return.

Australian Webber appeared to get his campaign back on track last weekend with pole in Barcelona, but German Vettel ultimately won his fourth race of the season.

"We will see that again in Monaco, so again there will be no discussion or tension. I would bet already that he (Vettel) will be three tenths faster," said Lauda.

He also commented on the decision by Ferrari and Fernando Alonso to extend the Spaniard’s contract through 2016.

"I don’t understand it," said Lauda. "I always did two year contracts, which was a mutual actual on both sides to promote competition. With a long contract, you lose that.

"I am sure that with Ferrari this is a combination of Alonso and the sponsorship of the bank Santander, but if I was Ferrari I wouldn’t have done it for so long," he insisted.