Sebastian Vettel believes passing will be risky at Valencia

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel believes passing will be risky at next weekend’s European Grand Prix around the Valencia Street Circuit, mainly due to the high amounts of turbulence created by the cars. This risk was clearly evident in 2010, when his team-mate Mark Webber flew over the back of Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus.

After the most unpredictable start to a Formula 1 season in the history of the sport, Sebastian Vettel will be looking to retain his dominance atop the Drivers’ Championship at the European Grand Prix. Vettel is only three points behind Championship leader Lewis Hamilton, and a third successive victory at the Valencia Street Circuit would most certainly assist the German driver in defending his World Drivers’ Crown.

“In Valencia, we drive an average of more than 200kph, which means it’s one of the fastest street circuits in Formula One.” Explained Sebastian Vettel, “Overtaking is possible, but only with some risk. The reason is that the air turbulence created by cars driving closely behind each other doesn’t disappear as it normally would due to the high walls around the track; you lose grip and, in some extreme cases, you have to lift the throttle.”

Sebastian Vettel has enjoyed two successive victories around the Valencia Street Circuit, which assisted him on his way to his two World Drivers’ Championships. However, the unpredictability of 2012 has thrown the season wide open. With seven different winners in the first seven races, Sebastian Vettel has so far only been victorious once at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver will undoubtedly be striving to become the first repeat winner of the 2012, however nothing looks straightforward in this highly topsy-turvy season.

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