Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey has vowed to crack the issues that led to a "stressful" Australian Grand Prix weekend, despite Sebastian Vettel's stunning start to the new Formula One season.

Vettel cruised to victory by 22 seconds in Sunday's curtain-raiser at Melbourne's Albert Park after crushing his rivals in qualifying for the ideal opening to the defence of his world title.

However, in the eyes of perfectionist Newey, behind the scenes it was a different story as Red Bull grappled with an issue they are still struggling to come to terms with.

Vettel's glorious beginning is all the more remarkable because he did not run with the KERS power-boost system all weekend.

At present, Newey is hopeful, but cannot say for definite, whether Red Bull will use KERS at the next grand prix in ten days' time in Malaysia where it will be far more beneficial.

"It was quite a stressful weekend in Australia. There were a lot of rumours about our KERS system for a start," said Newey.

"The intention going into the weekend was actually to run a full KERS, but we had some reliability problems, so we had to take it off.

"We hope it will be in the car in Malaysia, but first and foremost we need to try and field a car that is reliable, and if we feel it is that then we will try to race it."

Asked if it was required given the way Vettel crushed his rivals, Newey added: "Well it gives you a benefit at the start where you might be outgunned.

"McLaren also made a huge leap forwards - by copying our exhaust system, it has be said - and I'm sure they'll be pushing, so we can't be complacent."