Formula 1 news
Vettel surprised by Button team switch
22 November 2009Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing driver and runner-up in the 2009 World Championship, admits that he was taken aback by rival Jenson Button's move to McLaren as the German expects Mercedes Grand Prix - formerly Brawn - to be one of the leading competitors in 2010.
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"I think it was a surprise to everyone," Vettel told Autosport. "Brawn GP, now Mercedes GP, was very, very strong this year; they won the Drivers' and Constructors' championships, they had a very good car, a good team and it's always a surprise if a Champion, from a Champion team, is leaving.
"You don't know if things will change completely next year but in that regard for Brawn GP it was a very positive thing to happen, that Mercedes is now taking over and it's a manufacturer team, so it was a surprise and for next year they're going to be strong but McLaren always has been - this year they were struggling a little bit but I think, looking back, they've always been strong."
Furthermore, Vettel is eager to discover just how well the two British Champions - Button and Lewis Hamilton - will perform whilst together at the Woking team. "I think it will be interesting," Sebastian added. "They're obviously both English and McLaren is an English team; Lewis knows the team very well, already for a couple of years now, and Jenson is the new one coming in, so we will see."
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- 07 Feb.
- 06 Feb.
- 05 Feb.
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more news
Test Schedule
| 01 Feb. | 
Valencia |
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| 02 Feb. |
Valencia |
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| 03 Feb. |
Valencia |
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| 04 Feb. | 
Silverstone |
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| 05 Feb. |
Silverstone |
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| 10 Feb. |
Jerez |
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| 11 Feb. |
Jerez |
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| 12 Feb. |
Jerez |
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| 13 Feb. |
Jerez |
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| Full Formula 1 test schedule | ||
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