Sebastian Vettel won his third straight formula one drivers' championship title last year, holding off competition from Fernando Alonso in the final race of the year. With Red Bull launching their car for 2013 - the RB9 - Vettel is expecting a fourth title, although he himself knows it will be far from easy, with the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus and Mercedes expected to challenge.

"The only thing that I know right here, right now is that it will be a long and demanding year where consistency will again play a vital role," Vettel told the Formula One official website. "Of course we hope that the car is fast right away -- from the very first meter -- and then it is up to us to add consistency.

"My prediction is that it will be very tight again as the regulations have not changed significantly. That means that quite a number of teams will be able to be up there so every race can make a difference -- you have to approach every race as if it is the one that tips the tide."

Vettel is only 25 and has already taken three championships, while winning 26 Grand Prix races. Several pundits have already tipped him to break his idol Michael Schumacher's records.

"I am not someone who is looking back too much," he added. "Of course it is fantastic what has been achieved, but as the new season is knocking at my door I actually think that we all start from zero again.

"All the results that we had in the past will not give us a head start or advantage now. Sure there are the expectations that people have, but more than that we expect ourselves to do well again. So yes, there is a lot of pressure, but most of all I am looking forward to getting in the car, getting out again on the track, and finding out myself where we are."

The RB9 has been given the responsibility to continue the success that previous Red Bull cars have had over the past three seasons, and Vettel, who said he had little to do with the car's design and capabilities, expects the latest one to be as successful.

"It is quite something to see the car as a whole for the first time," he said. "Sure, over the winter I've seen parts of it, but this here -- all shiny and new and in the spotlight -- this is quite something.

"It is mouth-watering to think that next week you're going to take it out of the garage and do your first laps of the year. To be honest, over the winter I took a step back because I know that we have experts who don't rely on my input.

"Primarily it is a car that is backed up by last year's experience. It is not that they call from the factory before Christmas and ask 'hey Seb, how was this or that?'

"Believe me, we worked out every detail during the (2012) season so it was clear in what direction the journey would go -- and the new car is the result."