Red Bull's Marko puts pressure on Vettel

BERLIN (AFP) –

Red Bull Racing’s German driver Sebastian Vettel (L) walks the track at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit ahead of the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix. Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko put pressure on Vettel ahead of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix by saying the German must improve his performances in qualifying.

Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko on Thursday put pressure on world champion Sebastian Vettel ahead of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix by saying the German must improve his performances in qualifying.

Vettel, 25, is third in the World Drivers’ Championship on 122 points, behind Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, 124 points, and table leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, who has 164pts.

Vettel has only finished on the winners’ podium three times this season, compared to 15 times last year, and with nine Grand Prix races left, Marko says Vettel must work harder in qualifying.

“We can still win the title, but Vettel must do better in qualifying. He no longer has the domination he had last season,” the Austrian former Formula One driver said in his column in German daily Bild.

Vettel has started three races of the 11 races so far this season in pole position, but won only April’s Bahrain Grand Prix having finished on the podium just three times in 2012.

“Vettel does not need five wins, but he should not return empty-handed,” added Marko.

“Alonso’s run of form will come to an end soon and we have to be ready.

“One of the Red Bull drivers can become world champion. Even Webber.”