Double world champion Sebastian Vettel has admitted that it is not likely that Red Bull will enjoy the same level of dominance in 2012 that they enjoyed last season, but says that his aim is still to win a third title in the new RB8.
The caffeinated squad unveiled their new 2012 contender on Monday, the car that they hope will propel the German to a third-successive title.
But after Vettel dominated the 2011 season, taking eleven wins on his way to retaining his championship title, he admitted that it was unlikely to be as easy for him this season.
"It would be wrong to go into this season and expect 2011 to happen again, as in getting into the lead early and having a very big gap to other competitors in the championship," he said after the RB8 launch.
"So I think it will be very, very tight this year and everything else would be a surprise to be honest."
He added: "We'll see, obviously we hope our car is better than all the others but it will be difficult, and I think the cars will be fairly similar, as in the gaps will be even closer than they have been."
Vettel also suggested that the team could still learn from mistakes made in 2011, despite their incredible haul of results.
"[In] 2011 we were extremely successful and it was a good season, so we did only very few mistakes," he grinned.
"But still we sat down during the season and especially after the season and before this season again, trying to identify where we think we can improve, and yeah we got a couple of points.
"Of course, there were a lot of things that we did well and we try to keep it up and improve them as well but, as I said, there are a lot of things here and there you know – small things, details, attention to detail – that you can work on that might make a difference on a Sunday."
But overall, he said is aim was to secure another title in the coming season.
"I think you know we'll always look back to 2011 and think how special it was, but to be honest, you don't start the season having, you know, expectations to have the same or similar season again," he rambled.
"So we know how special it was and we really enjoyed that but we know how hard it is to be that consistent – always there and nearly every race on the podium.
"So, you know, the target is to obviously try to do it again and try to get everything out of ourselves, so we'll see how we get on with the new car, the RB8."
His team mate Mark Webber, who had a disappointing 2011 campaign in which he secured only one win, said that he was prepared to fight to improve in 2012.
"I think off the back of last year many sportsmen or women when you don't get the most out of a situation you always want to come back and improve and do a better job," he mused.
"The bar has been lifted very, very high in the last few seasons and it's the challenge I'm looking forward to.
"I've had a really good winter and prepared for the season as best I can so I'm looking forward to the new season, I just cannot wait to get racing."
He added: "We're always learning as athletes and I'm looking forward to 2012, its got some great opportunities for me.
"You know the old cliche take each race as it comes but that's how it will be initially and we'll go from there."
Webber will give the new car its on-track debut on Tuesday and Wednesday at this week's Jerez test, with Vettel taking over for the final two days.
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