Red Bull and Vettel poised to up the stakes in Malaysia

Sebastian Vettel is convinced his Red Bull is just a fine tune away from being better than ever as he heads into the Malaysian Grand Prix as 5/2 favourite this weekend.

Vettel finished second behind Jenson Button in the Australian Grand Prix last weekend after starting from sixth on the grid and the German believes things can get even better this weekend as he looks to win the Malaysian Grand Prix for a third consecutive year.

Vettel said: “I think we need track time to really understand what’s going on. I don’t think we have a problem with the car as in we don’t understand what’s going on, or the front is too weak or the rear end is a disaster, it’s not like that.

“So I think it’s fine tuning here and there.

“Hopefully we have a lot of track time tomorrow to allow ourselves to see exactly where we are and then trim the car in the right direction for Saturday and Sunday.”

Vettel is certainly in a great position to win on one of his favourite circuits and even McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton – who Vettel beat into third at the weekend – admits the Red Bull car is looking in brilliant shape.

The 5/2 offered for Vettel to triumph again looks like a bet well worth consideration but, after their 1-2 in Australia, then backing one of the McLaren drivers may prove a shrewd bet.

Both Button and Hamilton enjoyed decent starts to the season and the McLaren cars are looking sharp and well balanced compared to last season which was an exercise in battling against the underperforming car for the duo.

Despite finishing third last week, Hamilton remains joint favourite for the second race of the season at 5/2 while Button is out at 11/4 to win the Malaysian Grand Prix for a second time.