The F1 Reader

Is Vettel ready to dominate the rest of this season?

Looking back at Red Bull's pace in Valencia, Vettel's performance might trigger the beginning of the end regarding 2012's wide-open season. Are Red Bull now ready to dominate?

Having comfortably taken pole position for the European Grand Prix, Vettel was dominant in the race as he opened up a 20-second lead before a safety car period. His alternator failed soon afterwards, however, and he was forced to retire as Fernando Alonso took victory.

When asked by if he thought the pace advantage could be maintained at Silverstone Vettel replied: "Well we hope so.

"I think Silverstone is a very different track in terms of speed range - Valencia is fairly low speed. Weather wise is going to be very different I think! I would be surprised if we have 30 degrees and sunshine in Silverstone, but why not? Maybe the English summer is treating us differently this year!

"I think it will be interesting, as I said it's a very different track all in all. It's important for us to ideally confirm the results or confirm the feeling we had in Valencia - but not the result!"

Christian Horner believes Fernando Alonso is Red Bull's "obvious" rival in the fight for the title, but is expecting challenges for race wins from several teams.

Alonso currently leads the drivers' championship but Sebastian Vettel could have been on top had an alternator problem not forced him to retire from the lead of the European Grand Prix. Red Bull had the fastest car in Valencia two weeks ago, but Alonso, in a car that is still off the pace in qualifying, took victory.

Asked if there was a single driver he saw as Red Bull's biggest threat this year, Horner told ESPNF1: "The driver, obviously, is Alonso. But there are so many drivers that are in contention and teams as well. I think Formula One has never been so open as it has been [this year], going in to grand prix weekends where there could be eight potential winners."

Red Bull brought a major upgrade to the rear of its car at the last race in Valencia to enhance the performance of its diffuser. Horner is wary that Silverstone will provide a different challenge at this weekend's British Grand Prix, but said another strong performance would bode well for the car's chances at all venues this year.

"In Valencia the car worked very well, but that was in high temperatures and with a different type of layout. Hopefully it will follow through in to the next grand prix at Silverstone - it's a completely different layout of circuit with fast sweeping corners, probably cooler temperatures and knowing the British summer maybe a bit of rain. Hopefully the car can be competitive and if we can be competitive at Valencia and Silverstone then the rest of the season looks promising."