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MELBOURNE, Australia - Sebastian Vettel has a warning for those already writing off his chances of a fifth-consecutive Formula One title — the season is long and the teams current engine problems wont last. Miguel Gonzalez Jersey . The Red Bull driver has experienced a troubled off-season, with the team severely restricted in its testing because engine supplier Renault suffered a myriad of problems trying to make the sports new six-cylinder turbo hybrid powertrain function in anything approaching a reliable fashion. While Vettel acknowledged that Mercedes will be the team to beat in this weekends season-opening race in Australia — and Red Bull will likely be off the pace in early races — he was adamant another title was within his reach, even if it was not in the imperious style of 2013 when he won the last nine races. "We are not in the best position for this race, but its a different story when you talk about the championship," Vettel said Thursday. Vettel did not have far to look for inspiration about how to overcome early-season difficulties as he was speaking while sitting beside Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who found himself in a similar predicament in 2012. "Two years back Fernando was on the grid with 1.5 seconds to pole, and very close to beating us for the title at the very last race, so anything can happen," Vettel said. "We are a strong team. We have a lot of good people on board with a lot of strong resources. We should progress as the season goes on." Red Bull was not alone in suffering severe problems in the off-season. While the ongoing troubles are expected to particularly afflict the Renault-powered cars in the early races, all teams will be anxious heading into this Fridays practice sessions. The new computer-controlled engines must balance the power supply between the combustion engine, turbo charger, and the battery-stored electric power — the role of which is vastly greater than in previous years. Added to that is the need to reduce fuel use by about a third on last year to meet new rules, understand the altered aerodynamics and get used to new tires. Little wonder that F1 officials have relaxed the curfew restricting how many hours engineers and crew can spend in pit lane working on the cars. Some bleak forecasters are even predicting there will not be enough finishers on Sunday to fill the ten points positions, and race director Charlie Whiting on Thursday was asked questions about the contingency plans if no cars are running. Simple answer - the race will be stopped. While such doomsday scenarios are very unlikely, there was a strong possibility of several cars not getting within seven per cent of the pole sitters qualifying time and therefore being excluded from the race. Stewards have always had some discretion to exempt teams from that rule and Whiting said that Melbournes stewards will look upon such scenarios in Melbourne "very sympathetically." The men considered most likely to vie for that that pole-sitting yardstick are the Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg who, in contrast to most drivers, had enjoyed smooth and impressive testing sessions. The Mercedes drivers are old colleagues from their childhood days, and Hamilton said their friendship will not be tarnished if they end up fighting each other for race wins and perhaps even the championship as many expect. "It (the relationship) will be the same at the start as at the end," Hamilton said. "We have been racing together since we were 13. This is a stronger championship but I dont see any issues." Ron Santo Jersey . This time, Tebow was in a groove the entire second half -- not just in the waning minutes -- and his teammates on defence were getting gobbled up. Nicky Delmonico Jersey .com) - Colorado forward P. http://www.whitesoxteamshop.com/White-Sox-Chris-Beck-Kids-Jersey/ . City has reached new heights under manager Manuel Pellegrini as they transition from big spending/immediate impact to perennial contender. Yaya Toures seeming discontent Tuesday may complicate that, as does the little issue of Financial Fair Play.AMSTERDAM - The Netherlands outclassed Latvia in a morale-boosting 6-0 win Sunday in European qualifying that eased pressure on coach Guus Hiddink after four defeats in his first five matches.The Czech Republic went top of Group A with four wins out of four by beating Iceland 2-1 in Plzen thanks to a Pavel Kaderabek header in first-half injury time and a second-half own goal by Jon Dadi Bodvarsson. Iceland, which dropped to second after suffering its first defeat in qualifying, had taken an early lead through Ragnar Sigurdsson.Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar both scored twice while Robin van Persie and Jeffrey Bruma also found the net as the Dutch got their European Championship Group A qualifying campaign back on track. The Netherlands remained third, but moved closer to second-placed Iceland.After losing three of his first four matches in charge, Hiddink suggested last week that he would quit if the Netherlands failed to beat Latvia. His team also lost Wednesday to Mexico in a friendly to make it four defeats out of five matches since finishing third at the World Cup in Brazil under Louis van Gaal.He never looked likely to lose his job. And Hiddink was safe by half time as his front three of Van Persie, Robben and Huntelaar gave him a comfortable 3-0 cushion at the break.Its not important, Hiddink said of his threat to quit. What is important is we played well tonight in a crucial match.Van Persie opened the scoring, rising to head home a Robben cross in just the 6th minute. Robben — the Netherlands most dangerous player — doubled the lead in the 35th when he sent a trademark curling left-foot shhot over goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko despite being surrounded by four Latvia defenders. Reynaldo Lopez Jersey. .Huntelaar made it three in the 42nd when he sprinted to the near post to slide in a low cross from the left by Ibrahim Afellay.Van Persie admitted the poor string of results had been getting to him.There was a lot of pressure from all sides, he said. I was more nervous than usual. Were only human.Latvia defended better in the second half, but eventually crumbled as the Netherlands poured forward and scored three times in the last 12 minutes.Defender Jeffrey Bruma scored his first international goal when he turned in a corner that had been flicked on by Van Persie.Robben grabbed his second with another left-foot shot and Huntelaar doubled his tally in the 89th, turning smartly and drilling a low shot under Kolinkos outstretched hand.Turkey recorded its first win in Group A by beating Kazakhstan 3-1 in Istanbul. The defeat lifted Turkey off the bottom of the group into fourth place, behind the Dutch. Kazakhstan is last, with just one point from four qualifiers. Latvia is one point higher in fifth.Burak Yilmaz scored twice in three minutes in the first half and Serdar Aziz made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute before Samat Smakov scored a consolation goal for Kazakhstan from the penalty spot.In bad news for Manchester United, midfielder Daley Blind limped off in just the 20th minute against Latvia after injuring his knee and Hiddink said it looks serious. Blind was to undergo an MRI scan Monday.Im rather negative, Hiddink said. I think its a medial ligament that is twisted. It might be a rupture. ' ' '