Ferrari ‘healthier’ but must improve

Manama : Formula 1 championship leader Sebastian Vettel felt “healthier” in his Ferrari in Bahrain but insists the team must improve despite winning the opening two grands prix of the season.

Vettel followed up a fortunate victory in the Australian Grand Prix by qualifying on pole in Bahrain and holding off Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas for the win after a mid-race change of strategy.

When asked by Autosport whether his performance was more down to Mercedes’ not being at the same level as in Australia, or Ferrari’s own gains, Vettel replied: “It’s a difficult one.

“I can’t speak for them but I think it’s always a combination of things.

“Probably the circuit came our way. [But it was] mostly the fact I had a better feel with the car.

“We worked on the set-up, [which] helped us to extract more.

“It was more consistent on one lap but also in the race. So, I felt just healthier and more in control.

“How much they struggled, I don’t know. They looked pretty handy at the end of the stints, at least, and in qualifying the gap wasn’t massive.

“Overall it’s been close but obviously it’s good to be just ahead.”

Vettel explained after qualifying that Ferrari had targeted improving the front of its car after struggling to match Mercedes in Australia.