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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. 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." Bobby Hull Jersey . Ho-Sang is a highly regarded prospect, as seen in TSNs Midseason Rankings. This was Game 3 of their playoff series and that wasnt the only strange incident in Londons 10-2 win over Windsor. 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Moments after his Brooklyn Nets teammates ran out onto the court to congratulate him following their 100-98 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, Johnson could only shake his head at scoring only 13 points on 6-of-19 shooting.Arnold Palmer was celebrated at a ceremony on Tuesday in Latrobe, the hometown of the golf legend who died on September 25, aged 87. His private funeral for family members was on Thursday, but the family of the seven-time major winner wanted a public service to be held after the Ryder Cup.Members of the winning American team attended, including Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler, at St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, along with leaders from the PGA Tour and European Tour and other tours around the world.Private planes descended on Arnold Palmer Regional Airport about an hour before the service.A tearful Jack Nicklaus, longtime friend and chief rival in the 1960s, led the tributes during the three-hour service. Fans sign a tribute wall for Arnold Palmer at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine The 18-time major champion, said: I hurt like you hurt. You dont lose a friend of 60 years and dont feel an enormous loss.I am honoured and humbled to celebrate everything Arnold has meant to golf and the country. This is not one of the easiest speeches.He was an everyday man, everyones hero. Arnold managed to remove the I from icon and instead let the world share in his greatness.Golf gave so much to Arnold but he gave back so much more. He appealed to everyone. He was the king of our sport, and he always will be.Country singer Vince Gill paid his own tribute with an acoustic performance and former leading womens golfer Annika Sorenstam spoke of her memories of a man who did so much great work off the course as he had on it.Peter Dawson, long-serving former chief executive of the Royal & Ancient, said: Arnold was golfs greatest ambassador, both at home and abroad.He mixed with heads of state, with presidents, with prime ministers, but he never lost his common touch. He could open doors that were firmly closed to others. But he was more than an ambassador - he was the king, and always will be.Palmers grandson, Sam Saunders, also spoke. Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus dedicate 41st Ryder Cup to the memory of Arnold Palmer Former LPGA commissioner and close friend Charlie Mechem opened the tributes and said: Were all heartbroken by the passing of our dear friend.ddddddddddddBut sadness and grief is not the tone Arnold or his family would want for this day. I want you to smile because he smiled about 95 percent of the time. When he missed a putt maybe, whatever, gotta be happy. Sir Nick Faldo, speaking before the service, told Sky Sports News HQ: Palmer was global golf. Golf was his biggest fan.He would do anything for everybody. He loved golf so much and he was happy to promote it any way he could.Ernie Els, four-time major champion, added to SSNHQ: He was the king. I met him in 1992, there was a 40-year age gap and it didnt feel like it., he felt like a friend, mentor and a father figure and that was Arnold. Star of the screen Palmer: Sports first television superstar PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem also paid his respects and said: When we talk about Arnolds legacy I dont believe its a legacy of the past. Its a living legacy that he has left us. Palmer won 62 titles on the PGA Tour, including four Masters titles, two wins at The Open and one US Open championship.Widely regarded as golfs first superstar, Palmer, nicknamed The King, attracted legions of fans known as Arnies Army at his peak with his swashbuckling style of play. Also See: Nicklaus dedicates Ryder Cup to Palmer Woods and McIlroy lead Palmer tributes Golf great Palmer passes away Palmer: Sports first TV superstar ' ' '