Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel said on Thursday his Red Bull team has discovered the reason for a gearbox failure that forced him to retire in leading position with 10 laps left in last weekend’s British Grand Prix.
“We have understood the problem and solved it,” Vettel told a news conference ahead of his German home race set for Sunday.
Vettel said the retirement at Silverstone puts no extra burden on him for the Nuerburgring race although Fernando Alonso has now cut his lead to 21 points.
“You get as many championship points here as at any other race. It is more of a privilege than extra pressure,” Vettel said.
The three-times reigning champion Vettel is bidding for his first career win in Germany, a first in the month of July and a first in Europe since September 2012.
Out to spoil Vettel’s show is, among others, compatriot and Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg who got his second season win on Sunday at Silverstone.
Rosberg acknowledged that Mercedes are not strong enough overall to challenge Red Bull but hopes to carry the momentum from England to Germany.
“This is a very nice time in my career, to go into the next race with the knowledge that you can fight for the best place in qualifying and that the car is fast as well in the race,” Rosberg said.