Vettel: New rules will hit Red Bull

The new Red Bull in action (GETTY IMAGES)

The Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel dismissed his chances of running away with a third straight driver's title because of rule changes that have cost Red Bull, whose new 2012 car was unveiled yesterday.

"Looking at the cars there's not much room left for the designers to play with, to find something extra.

"The last two years we have had two big things taken away – the double diffusers, and for this year the system around the blown exhaust. We are missing that and so it's difficult to really create a difference.

"Obviously we hope our car is better than all the others, but it will be difficult because the cars will be fairly similar, with the gaps closer than they have been."

Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber will have the first opportunity to take to the track in the new car when the first test begins today at Jerez in Spain.