COVID-free Vettel keen to finally start F1 season

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (left) speaks to his crew at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AFP

Sebastian Vettel said Wednesday it felt like "arriving late to school" as he starts his season at the Australian Grand Prix this week after missing the opening two races. Germany's four-time world champion was ruled out of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grand prix last month with Coronavirus.

"After testing positive and missing the first two races, it feels a bit like arriving late to school so I'm really keen to get going again," said Vettel, who has triumphed three times in Melbourne.

F1's youngest world champion is now, at 34, in his 15th full season. He first won at Albert Park in 2011 driving a Red Bull, then did so in 2017 and 2018 when at Ferrari.

He will have plenty of catching up to do in terms of learning about his Aston Martin car after limited pre-season testing and with most of his rivals having two races under their belts.

"For me, after nearly a month out of the car, it will be important to learn throughout the practice sessions and I hope we can take some steps forward in what is usually an exciting and unpredictable race," said Vettel.

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