( CNN ) -- Expectations are high for Sebastian Vettel this year . And , as Formula One 's youngest double world champion , you might expect some of that success to go to his head . But one of the men who knows him best , and whose job it is to channel the skills that have put Red Bull at the top of elite motorsport , is adamant that he is working with a `` grounded superstar . '' Team principal Christian Horner is in no doubt that the 24-year-old German driver , who returned to the wheel in the third day of testing in Spain will continue to be a perfect role model . `` He is a great champion and a great ambassador for the sport , '' Horner told F1 's official website . `` He connects to his age group in a fantastic way as he has all the 'features ' of a modern-day hero . Can Senna restore the romance to Formula One ? `` He is fiercely competitive in the cockpit and very down to earth and approachable outside the car . People see his personality . `` He is a grounded superstar , if such a thing exists . That 's why his popularity has mushroomed so much over the last few years . '' The Red Bull Racing name is now established as F1 's dominant force despite this year being just the Austrian-owned team 's eighth in the sport . Horner is pleased with the rapid progress the Britain-based marque has made , and challenged the team to carry their championship-winning form into 2012 . `` 2011 was an incredible year for the team and it is amazing what we have achieved , '' he said . `` Defending both world titles obviously raises the bar again for 2012 , and of course our goal and objective is to defend both trophies again . They look perfect on the shelf in our factory . `` Red Bull Racing has n't been in F1 long , which means that we are competing with teams with some phenomenal history and a lot of knowledge to fall back on . So we are taking nothing for granted . '' Horner anticipates a full-blooded battle for the drivers ' and constructors ' titles this season , which starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18 . British team McLaren boast world champions in Lewis Hamilton ( 2008 ) and Jenson Button , who triumphed the following year with Brawn GP and was runner-up last season . Legendary Italian marque Ferrari , who have won a record 16 constructors ' titles , will be led by Spanish two-time world champion Fernando Alonso . `` We know that McLaren is always a strong team , '' Horner said . `` They have two great drivers so they definitely will be pushing very hard . `` Fernando Alonso and Ferrari will also be strong opponents . So yes , they will be the usual suspects . ''
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner calls Sebastian Vettel a `` grounded superstar '' German driver is the youngest to win back-to-back world championships . The 24-year-old made his return to the track on Thursday at the Jerez test event . Horner is predicting a close battle for the drivers ' and constructors ' crowns in 2012 .