Team Red Bull claimed their first victory at the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit yesterday despite lacking the controversial "double-decker" diffuser that has lifted Brawn to the current No 1 spot on the teams' rankings.
![April 19, 2009. [CFP]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20090420/000802aa2f490b560e7a01.jpg "April 19, 2009. [CFP]") |
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates after winning the Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai, east China, April 19, 2009. [CFP]
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For 21-year-old champion German driver Sebastian Vettel, whose teammate, Australian Mark Webber, finished second, his team's development of a simpler diffuser was not the key reason for victory.
"I think it's the same for all the teams. We all have a diffuser, if you have this kind or this kind this is what is extremely interesting about this championship," he said.
Vettel said the technological race to gain an edge was alive and well after the recent controversey surrounding the more advanced diffuser.
"Basically the curve continues to go up and you are able to find newer and newer bits, other than the diffuser, and an update here or there, smaller or bigger can make a huge difference because the championship is very tight.
"I think every team is pushing. We are pushing extremely hard to make the car faster. I'm very happy that the car is fast already and able to compete with the best teams so far and yeah, hoping that it gets better and better throughout the season. Basically we will try and stay on top and make the final step to be the best team on the grid."
The safety car led the fieled for the first eight laps of yesterday's rain-soaked race.
Starting from pole position, Vettel led for the entire 56-lap race to claim the second victory of his career.
The result ended the early-season domination of the Brawn GP team, whose drivers, Briton Jenson Button and Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello, finished third and fourth.
But, boasting the more advanced diffuser, the Brawn duo are still first and second on the drivers' list.
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Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel (C) of Germany, Australian Mark Webber (L) and Brawn GP's Jenson Button spray champagne at the victory ceremony of the Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai, east China, April 19, 2009. [CFP]
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"I'm extremely happy," Vettel said. "It's the second time now in the wet I've won a grand prix.
"The car was fantastic. It's definitely necessary to mention that the team did a really, really good job in preparing the car. Yesterday, in qualifying we did a good job but, nevertheless, we were struggling a bit with reliability.
"But we were able to fix it overnight. I think that speaks for the quality of our team. Everybody was just trying to fix it. We succeeded. Both cars finished the race and a top two, a double win for Red Bull is incredible. I'm extremely happy."
It was also the second victory for Vettel in rain, after his victory for Scuderia Toro Rosso in Italy in September.
"We had to push hard in the beginning to get away from the pack and we succeeded. There was a lot of aqua planing. Sometimes you were just keeping the car on the circuit," said the German, who now ranks third in the drivers list with the victory.
"I think I had the best conditions, but it was still extremely difficult - especially in the last corner. It's my second win, and the second in the wet. Now maybe we can have some more rain."
Webber, who has fought back after breaking his leg last November, said his podium finish meant a great deal.
"This means a huge amount. We pushed each other quite hard. They were tough conditions so it's extremely rewarding," he said. "It's the best result of my career and I hope to go one step better in the future."
