• Australian GP - Qualifying

Vettel: Third was within reach

ESPN Staff
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Sebastian Vettel thinks he could have done even better than fourth on his first qualifying session for Ferrari in Australia.

Ferrari has made big strides over the winter and Vettel looked comfortable at his new team, staying ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in all three sessions and beating the Finn to fourth by 0.04s. But Vettel's eventual Q3 benchmark, 1:27.757, was pipped by Felipe Massa in the dying embers of the session as the Williams snatched third.

"I was not entirely happy and Felipe nailed the lap, so I think it was in reach," Vettel said about his final lap. "The first shot I had on the new set ideally should have been quicker, but it wasn't, so that is down to me. With the second shot I think in terms of the strategy we could have done some things differently, but all-in-all it is good to have both cars inside the top five."

He added: "It is the first race of the season and maybe we could have done a bit of a better job, but the important thing is we learn and then we improve for the next time."

Vettel says he has a good feeling with the SF15-T and is encouraged by the fact it feels like there is more to come.

"I think after the first day, Kimi and myself already had a good feeling in the car, so in this regard I think we were happy with what we had been given by the team. I think as a team we try to work and improve. This is the first race and Australia is a special circuit, but I think we are very happy with where we are and we know there is hopefully more to come. A good start and a good qualifying session, I felt like in general we were able to get the maximum out of the car. In qualifying I think I could have done a better job and put the car in P3 but I didn't do it, so that is probably more down to me today."

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