Vettel singing in the rain

Sebastian Vettel is hoping for rain in the desert this week after the Red Bull Racing driver claimed his second win in the wet at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai yesterday.

The 21-year-old German became the youngest Grand Prix winner at a wet Monza last year while with Toro Rosso and again proved his ability in such conditions to hand Red Bull their first ever win.

The team’s day was capped as Mark Webber finished second, restricting the Brawn GPs of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello to third and fourth respectively.

Vettel’s win was even more impressive as not only was his car without the controversial twin diffuser – the component that has undoubtedly had a part in Button’s two wins this season – but also in the wake of mechanical problems that had beset the team on Saturday.

Due to driveshaft issues Vettel did only one lap in each stage of qualifying but did enough to secure pole.

And, despite fears the car would not last an entire race, Vettel dominated on a drenched circuit yesterday to claim victory.

The season now heads to Bahrain and Vettel joked he hopes the skies will open once again next Sunday.

“The car was fantastic,” he said. “It is definitely necessary to mention that the team did a really good job in preparing the car.

“We did good in qualifying but we were struggling with reliability but we were able to fix it overnight, we found the problems so I think that speaks for the quality of the team.

“We succeeded with both cars finishing the race and a double win for Red Bull is incredible and I am extremely happy.

“It is the second time now in the wet I have won a grand prix. Now we can have some more rain.”

A fine overtaking manouvre midway through the race allowed Vettel’s team-mate Webber to snatch second place from Button and the Australian felt it was the best performance of his career.

“The conditions were tough for the whole grand prix,” he said. “It got a bit better in the middle and then a bit interesting at the end.

“It was a very tough race, extremely rewarding to get this result and personally for myself, it is the best result of my career.”