Breaking news

Formula 1

Vettel: Ferrari better than 2014 Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel says he is much happier with this year's Ferrari than he was with the 2014 Red Bull, a car he struggled to come to terms with.

Adam Cooper

Adam Cooper

Edited: Mar 26, 2015, 6:38 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, in Red Bull garage

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF15-T

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari and Esteban Gutierrez, Ferrari Test and Reserve Driver walk the circuit

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari and Esteban Gutierrez, Ferrari Test and Reserve Driver walk the circuit

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF15-T

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF15-T

The four-time champion said ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix that his performance in Australia provided proof that Ferrari has made good progress.

Vettel was Mercedes' closest challenger in Melbourne, finishing third, albeit far behind race winner Lewis Hamilton.

"I think it's natural that the cars make a step forward, and to be honest since the first day I felt quite happy," he said.

"Last year's car I was obviously struggling a little bit here and there, and not entirely happy.

"Whereas with this year's car, and the Ferrari of this year, since the first day I was reasonably happy with the balance we have in the car.

"We know that we have to improve, but in terms of what I can feel and what I can do I was quite happy."

New tyres helping

"I think maybe also the rear tyres helped a little bit, obviously they made a bit of a change over the winter. In general I think I like the flow the car had.

"Last year that was a bit of a problem here and there. In the end you get used to it and you drive it as quick as you can or at least as quick as you think you can."

Regarding this year's pecking order he said: "I think the favourites are clear, just look at the gap from Australia, and then after that I think it will be very close.

"We'll try to obviously confirm the results and the impression we left in Australia, so we try to make sure that we establish ourselves in a similar position, ideally a little bit closer to Mercedes, and ideally a little bit further away from Williams, but I expect it to be very, very close, especially between us and Williams.

"And also Red Bull I think it's a question of timer, when they will come back. At the moment I think they are struggling a bit. I think behind Mercedes it will be very, very close."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Alonso has "zero concern” over steering issue repeat

Next article Alonso dismisses wild stories about his concussion

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Adam Cooper



RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024

Formula 1

Formula 1

Japanese GP

RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024



Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team

Formula 1

Formula 1

Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team



Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility

Formula 1

Formula 1

Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility

More from

Lewis Hamilton



The 'difference' between Kimi Antonelli's F1 title and Lewis Hamilton's according to Toto Wolff

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

The 'difference' between Kimi Antonelli's F1 title and Lewis Hamilton's according to Toto Wolff



Lewis Hamilton slams Charles Leclerc for "do or die" attitude after Mexico GP clash

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton slams Charles Leclerc for "do or die" attitude after Mexico GP clash



Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

More from

Ferrari



Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment



Why Oliver Bearman is yet to be announced as a Haas driver for F1 2027

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Why Oliver Bearman is yet to be announced as a Haas driver for F1 2027



Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees

Latest news



Liam Lawson’s remarkable form is giving Red Bull a headache for 2027

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

9 h

Liam Lawson’s remarkable form is giving Red Bull a headache for 2027



Hanley Motorsports announces multi-class IMSA arrival with BMW support and DXDT deal

IMSA

IMSA IMSA 10 h

Hanley Motorsports announces multi-class IMSA arrival with BMW support and DXDT deal



Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment



Ryan Preece will switch to No. 6 for 2027 NASCAR Cup season

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

11 h

Ryan Preece will switch to No. 6 for 2027 NASCAR Cup season

Feature

Discover prime content



Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Filip Cleeren

Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment



Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s

Formula 1

By Kevin Turner

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s



How Ryo Hirakawa performed on his surprise F1 debut in Mexico

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

How Ryo Hirakawa performed on his surprise F1 debut in Mexico



Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Stuart Codling

Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe