Vettel sets fastest soft-tyre time in Barcelona as Ferrari run Mercedes close on Day 3; German driver stresses a lot of work to do
Friday 17 March 2017 12:03, UK
Sebastian Vettel has given a cautious thumbs-up to Ferrari's new SF70-H but insisted Ferrari are not yet focusing on how they are faring against Mercedes in testing.
Despite some dire predictions from the Italian press before the launch of the team's 2017 challenger last week, Ferrari have impressed over the first three days of winter testing and run world champions Mercedes the closet of any team on the timesheet.
REPORT: Ferrari push Mercedes on Day Three
Vettel finished two tenths behind Valtteri Bottas on Day Three, but set his best lap on a soft tyre which was two steps harder than the ultrasoft used by Mercedes. Although respective fuel loads and engine modes are unknown, a purely tyre-corrected lap would place the Ferrari ahead.
Speaking for the first time at winter testing, Vettel appeared satisfied with Ferrari's start to pre-season and said they were purely concentrating on their own programme.
"I've had two days in the car and I won't get that much more, another two days, but it's impossible [to say where we are]. We're not really trying to look at other people," Vettel told Sky in Italy.
"Obviously you see the times, but we are focusing on ourselves. By the looks of it the car is working and there are not any major issues, which is important. It was reliable already at Fiorano [at the car's shakedown] but in terms of performance it's very early to tell. There is still a lot of work to do."
The fastest laps of F1 Testing
The four-time world champion, who completed more laps than any driver on Day Three, added: "There is a lot of stuff on our programme. We've had a good first three days but we need to improve."
Ferrari and Mercedes' quickest laps on Wednesday were the fastest recorded around the Circuit de Catalunya since March 2009 and Vettel said "it's clear these cars are faster" than their predecessors of recent years.
"There a lot of downforce compared to last year for everyone," added Vettel.
"The only downside is the cars are fairly heavy compared to not many years ago. It would be nice to have the same downforce as now but to be 150 kilos lighter like they were 10 years ago!
"I'm sure we're at the beginning [of development], there's still a lot of work ahead for us in particular to improve, but it should be getting more and more fun with the cars to drive."
With Kimi Raikkonen back in the SF70-H for Thursday's final day of Test One, Vettel will return for his final two outings in the car before the Australian GP at the end of March next week at Barcelona.
