Ferrari's Vettel: 'I'm ready to give it my all'

©Ferrari

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Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel is ready to return to action and pull out all the stops this weekend in Austria for the opening round of the delayed 2020 season.

Vettel is set to enter his thirteenth full season of Grand Prix racing, but the four-time world champion will return to the fray in a particularly unusual context as the German will be leaving his prestigious team at the end of the year.

It remains to be seen whether Vettel will encounter a different atmosphere at the Italian outfit where teammate Charles Leclerc is now positioned as the squad's default leader.

But intra team relationships aren't the only thing that will feel peculiar for the 32-year-old F1 veteran as race weekends, governed by stringent COVID-19 measures and protocols will offer drivers a very different environment at venues this summer.

©Ferrari

Regardless of the potential or real changes, Vettel is wound up and ready to give it his all.

"It’s no secret that we’re all really keen to get back on track, as it’s been such a long time now," said the German.

"At the start, the break was enjoyable, as usually we are always travelling around the world and we have little time to spend with family and friends, but the time has come to get back on track.

"I’m ready to give it my all, even if it won't be the same without the fans there supporting us."

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Vettel is a big fan of Spielberg's short and fast layout although the 53-time Grand Prix winner isn't making any bold predictions for Austria's double-header.

"The Austrian track is like a carousel that goes round really quickly but I like it a lot, especially as it is high in the mountains which I love," he added.

"We have to be realistic when it comes to the pecking order seen at the tests, but we are not downhearted.

"It will also be unusual doing two races in a row here as for the second one we will have a lot of data to work with.

"What we do in the first weekend will have an important effect on the second."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.