The four-time F1 world champion managed just 11 laps during the session at Jerez last month mainly due to car packaging issues and problems relating to engine supplier Renault's new V6 turbocharged power unit. Indeed in total Red Bull did just 21 tours, the fewest of any of the teams in action. Renault has now said it is confident though, that the issues have been resolved and Vettel remains upbeat and has confirmed the team is on top of its problems.

“Sure Jerez was not a good test for us,” he told Sport Bild. “Other teams managed a lot more miles, which is important because everything is so new. But it is better to have the problems now in the test than to have them later in the races. I hope now it will be better in Bahrain and we can do not just lots of laps, but some quick laps too.”

“We must not underestimate though that the new engines are a huge challenge,” he added. “Everything is completely new. All the Mercedes-powered cars looked very strong in Jerez. That did not surprise me because it was already known ahead of the test how much time and work Mercedes have invested in its new powertrain.

"However, I believe that both Renault and ourselves have solved the problems we had at Jerez. But there is no guarantee we will not have issues with some other parts,” he warned.