( CNN ) -- Red Bull have been untouchable for the last two Formula One seasons , but their double world champion driver Sebastian Vettel has warned the team 's 2012 car will be slower than last year 's model . Vettel , F1 's youngest two-time champion having won the drivers ' crown in 2010 and 2011 , also expects this season 's title race to be much tighter , after he took the checkered flag in 11 of 19 grands prix last year . `` Last season the way we incorporated the exhaust was very cleverly devised , '' the 24-year-old told the sport 's official website . `` It made the car faster by generating more grip , but it 's a thing of the past in 2012 and for now we have to live with it . `` I would say that goes for all the other teams as well . We are looking into ways of getting that grip level back and I am sure we will succeed , although it will take time . Red Bull out to dominate again . `` Of course we hope to do it again this season . My guess is that the performance of the cars will be even closer this year , especially the gap between the front-running teams and the midfield . We will probably even see a few surprises . '' If the German could take the championship in 2012 , he would join Argentina 's Juan Manuel Fangio and compatriot and seven-time title winner Michael Schumacher as the only men to have won the sport 's biggest prize three years in a row . `` I was n't aware that only two drivers have done it , '' he said . `` But as the saying goes , three 's a charm , so let 's try to do it again this year ! '' Vettel will be in distinguished company on the grid when the season begins in Australia next month , with six former world champions competing in the same season for the first time . Alongside him will be Schumacher at Mercedes , McLaren 's title-winning British duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button , Ferrari 's two-time winner Fernando Alonso and the returning 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus . `` As it has never happened before , it is something very special , '' he said . `` And to be one of those six feels even better . But then again , this is something that points to the past and has nothing to do with the next 20 races , as it does n't make you any faster . `` It is a new game when we start on the Melbourne grid . Past glory is great to have , but you have to make sure that it reaches into the here and now . '' The forthcoming season is scheduled to be the longest in the elite division of motorsport 's 52-year history , with 20 races on the calendar . Vettel was not overly concerned by the addition of an extra race , with the U.S. Grand Prix returning in Austin in November , but he felt no further additions should be made to the schedule in the future . `` Twenty races is indeed a huge workload but to be honest whether it 's 19 or 20 races does n't make any real difference . There are few sports with such a long season , so I would suggest that we all just roll up our sleeves . `` I think it will be important to pace yourself cleverly and you will probably have to use the phrase 'thanks , but no thanks ' more often . You ca n't have your finger in every pie , however alluring it may look . ''
Red Bull 's Sebastian Vettel says the team will not be as quick as last year . The German has won the world championship in each of the last two seasons . Vettel has set his sights on a record-equaling third drivers ' title in a row . The 24-year-old says the sport should not expand beyond a 20-race calendar .