Mat Coch writes:

He may be the youngest ever World Champion but the success of 2010 hasn't changed him, at least that's what Sebastian Vettel thinks.

"When I walk down in the street, not so much here but back home, you get recognized more," he admits. "It just shows you how many people followed what you did, and makes it special in a way. It makes you very proud."

The usually relaxed and jovial German was overwhelmed by last season's finale in Abu Dhabi when he won the drivers championship against extraordinary odds. But with the title under his belt and the number one on his car the twenty-three year old isn't dwelling on past glories.

"Looking back it is a very good feeling and it's something that no one can take away from you," he told reporters in Melbourne. "Naturally as we are built we are built to look forward, so looking back is a movement and is not natural in a way," he added. "In sports you always tend to look forward, so you're looking forward to the next race or the next game or the next match. So I'm happy to be here, and looking forward to the new season."

Since his championship success he has however inked a new deal with Red Bull, ending speculation that he could move to Ferrari in the near future. "I feel very comfortable in the team and there's nothing really that I would like to change. I think we have a common target, we achieved a lot together in the past.

"I love to compete and I'm very confident I can do that with the team I am in now and I will be in the future," he added, "so that's why I decided to stay a bit longer."