Vettel says his team needs an F-Duct system

Red Bull German driver Sebastian Vetthel thinks that his team has to equip its RB6 with the F-Duct system as soon as possible. This statement comes at a time when more teams are beginning to present their own version of the McLaren technology.

At this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix Ferrari, Mercedes GP and Williams should start the first tests with their own versions, with BMW Sauber remaining the only team besides McLaren to race with the F-Duct system.

The German driver knows the advantages of McLaren’s technology and he is hoping that Red Bull Racing can introduce its version as quick as possible, preferably in the next race.

"It [the F-Duct] is something you have to have, no matter if you have a midfield car or probably one of the best cars. It is worth quite a bit, and is quite a big advantage in terms of lap time. It probably depends on the circuit, but it is up to five tenths [of a second].

"So everyone is under pressure to copy and come up with something similar, which is very difficult because McLaren has been planning this for a long time. And, it is not that easy even if you have it to make it work, to operate with it."

In the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix Vettel says that the F-Duct system will give advantage in the long straights of the circuit.

"For sure with the system they have it is an advantage on the straights - and we have seen it already this year. If they are behind you, and right behind you, then it is probably not easy to defend. You could go down the inside, but it is a long straight here and they would have time to go around the outside", said Vettel.

As for when Red Bull Racing might manage to include this technology in the RB6 Vettel says he hopes that when F1 comes to Europe the team may already race with the F-Duct system. He adds that the team is working on it but underlines that there is still no fixed date.