F1 | Vettel: “We are better prepared than in 2016, but being first in the tests is useless”

Sebastian Vettel remains with his feet on the ground: despite the successes obtained in these days test and the initial pre-season enthusiasm, the tedesco he wants to take it slow. “We're trying to push our program forward. Sometimes you can go faster, other times you can't. For the moment we are still a little behind, but the first sensations are ok. Obviously it will be different throughout the season. It's fun to drive the car, they go faster. The guys are working a lot here, they're pushing everyone, they're focused on the team. We have to get better and better.", he told reporters in Barcelona after the morning session.

Hag and the whole team Ferrari seems to have learned the lesson of 2016: “We are better prepared than last year, we learned a lot from last season. Looking at the results obtained at the end of the 2016 championship one might think that it wasn't a great season, in reality it was very important, for everyone the work done within the team to improve more and more and be ready for 2017. Obviously we will only be able to say this when all is said and done, when we arrive in Melbourne.", has continued.

The German, however, wants to get to Melbourne with certainties and ready for the championship: “If we were already fighting for the podium in Australia it would be great, but we still have a lot to do, a lot to learn. There's still time before Melbourne. We are studying and working as best. Mercedes are the favourites, they have been able to win three consecutive championships, they work well... they are the ones to beat".

The pre-season tests have their importance, that's for sure, but there's no point in making big proclamations just because you're first or second. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what position you end the day in, but what you learn from the machine: “It doesn't matter being first here, in the tests… it doesn't give us any points in the standings! It is important, of course, to understand the timing and behavior of the machine. We're getting better and better.", concluded Vettel.

Fabiola Granier