MELBOURNE: Sebastian Vettel left his closest fans puzzled this week when the Formula One world champion and self-confessed Beatles' fan dubbed his new Red Bull racing car “Abbey”.

It was unclear if he was naming his car after the Beatles album “Abbey Road” or the well-known corner at Silverstone.

“There is no specific reason why he chose Abbey,” said a spokeswoman. “He just likes that name.”

In the past, the 24-year-old German has called his cars Kate, Kate's Dirty Sister, Luscious Liz, Randy Mandy and Kinky Kylie.

Vettel won 11 races and reeled off a record 15 pole positions last year on the way to a successful defence of the drivers' crown.

If he becomes champion again this year, with Abbey, he will join Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio and compatriot Michael Schumacher as just the third driver to complete a hat-trick of titles.

The Beatles' Abbey Road was recorded in 1969, 18 years before Vettel was born.