Mar.28 (GMM) Dominant Sebastian Vettel did not play the RB7's full hand of cards in Melbourne, according to Red Bull motor sport consultant Helmut Marko.

Reigning world champion Vettel got his 2011 defence off to the best possible start at the weekend by easily strolling to pole position and the win.

But some rivals, notably McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, took heart in the fact that he was able to finish just 22 seconds behind the young German whilst nursing a broken floor.

"I can win in this car. I can go for the title. We'll close the gap on them, no doubt about that," Hamilton said before leaving Albert Park.

But Marko said Vettel, a vast 8 tenths ahead of Hamilton in qualifying 24 hours earlier, had paced himself in the race.

"Sebastian based himself on his opponents, setting his pace according to the competition -- especially Hamilton," the Austrian told German broadcaster RTL.

"We just wanted the gap for a pitstop or in case the safety car came out," added Marko. "In the end he was just protecting the tyres.

"We still have some more in it (the car)," he said.

Hamilton's teammate Jenson Button seemed to acknowledge the possibility that Vettel sandbagged in Australia.

"I don't know if we are quick enough to challenge the Red Bulls. I don't know if they were holding something back here," he told the Guardian.

Niki Lauda told Germany's Bild newspaper he suspects Vettel will indeed dominate the entire world championship.

"Let's see what happens next, but I fear it might be boring for us," said the famous triple world champion. "I see no reason why Malaysia should be any different."

Ferrari, however, is banking on a surge of form following a disappointing opening salvo in Australia.

"I'm convinced that things will change," said Felipe Massa, who finished almost a lap behind and was derided as being "so slow" by Button after their long duel.

"Not at any of the winter tests did we go so badly," he is quoted by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version