Jenson Button believes F1 is yet to witness the true performance of Red Bull’s 2011 car.
Reigning world champion and current championship leader Sebastian Vettel dominated the season opening Australian grand prix from pole, finishing 22 seconds clear of Button’s McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Vettel’s Melbourne feats were without the aid of KERS, with Button believing Red Bull is struggling with the technology.
"That’s good for us," the 2009 world champion is quoted by El Pais.
"We need a powerful KERS to compete against them because in every other area they are very competitive," said the Briton.
"At the moment I think we’re a long way from Red Bull," the McLaren driver acknowledged. "I get the impression that Seb is yet to show the full potential of that car."
The Cologne tabloid Express said it is possible Vettel might lap the entire field this weekend in Malaysia.
"At Sepang the aerodynamics are much more important (than in Melbourne)," said Hamilton. "So Red Bull should be even better there."
Vettel said KERS is worth about five-tenths per lap, and his teammate Mark Webber on Thursday said using the system in Malaysia is a "no-brainer".