A second gearbox problem for Red Bull on Sunday
His Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, who finished behind Vettel in fifth place, earlier lost his front row starting place due to an unscheduled gearbox change penalty.
In the wake of recent suggestions the Milton Keynes-based team will walk the 2010 season with a superior car, the Canadian result – featuring a McLaren one-two – could be a turning point.
"I had a gearbox problem from around halfway through the race, which meant I had to slow down," German Vettel said.
However, race winner and new championship leader Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged that despite the Montreal result, the RB6 is still the superior car on more conventional circuits.
"There is no reason to panic from our side," Vettel confirmed, "we have a very good car and we're looking ahead to Valencia."