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Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso predict an even closer F1 season in 2013

Ferrari's Spaniard says five different teams could win on Sunday

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Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso are asked to describe each other in Australia's press conference

Despite being separated by just three points at the dramatic culmination of their World Championship duel in 2012, title rivals Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have predicted an even closer contest at the front of the grid in the new F1 season.

Alonso's own prospects have been boosted by Ferrari's improved performance during winter testing - at least compared to their travails of twelve months ago when the F2012 was born almost two seconds off the pace. "It's not difficult to start better than 2012, but it would be difficult to start worse," added the Spaniard. "It is going to be a very interesting championship, we need to start on the right foot." Yet while Ferrari have apparently stepped forward, and hopes abound that the Red Bulls haven't sped clear of the pack, one extra fascinating ingredient likely to be thrown into the race-contending mix along with the Lotus and McLaren is the Mercedes W04. Both Lewis Hamilton and the 2008 World Champion's new team-mate Nico Rosberg topped the timesheets on the final weekend at Barcelona and the Silver Arrows new recruit is already looking comfortable in his new surrounds. "Normally when you go to a new team it takes a while to get settled in, but I'm working as hard as I can to get settled in," said Hamilton. "It just takes time and as time goes on I will get more comfortable." More pertinently, Hamilton also feels settled in his new office. "I'm comfortable in the car. We've definitely made some good steps forward, but we have a lot of work still to do." Quite how much will be revealed on Sunday.

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