- Jerez Test - Day One
Vettel sees 'huge potential' at Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel says the potential at Ferrari is "huge" and that the new SF15-T is a "good starting point" after his first day of testing with his new team in Jerez.
Sunday was the four-time world champion's first day behind the wheel of a Ferrari at a public test and he completed it in style with the fastest time of the day. However, it lacked some substance as a telemetry problem limited him to 60 laps compared to the 157 of rivals Mercedes.
"I used the time over the winter to go to Maranello a couple of times, and what I've seen is quite impressive," he said. "The potential is obviously huge, but it's also a time of change with a lot of people leaving, a lot of people coming, people getting promoted and put in different places. But definitely motivation is high, not just with me, but all the team to get back to the front as soon as possible.
"Lap times are not that important in the end, it's the amount of laps. It's better to be closer to the front rather than a long way behind, but I think in terms of laps there is still a lot of improvement that we can do. The reference is still Mercedes, they did 150-something laps today so they are proving that they start off with a very reliable car today. Hopefully it's not as quick as last year - that I think is what everyone is hoping for - but you have to give credit to them, they did a very good job. It would be a surprise if they are not as strong as they were last year."
Vettel said the car was different to the Red Bulls he has had success with in the past, but that it offered a good platform on which to build.
"I haven't driven the 2014 Ferrari, but as a starting point it was a good day. There are a lot of things that are different: the steering wheel layout, the steering wheel itself, the strategies … in the end all the buttons probably do the same or similar things but they are all different. It does take some time to get used to that.
"Of course, the car does feel different. It's a different philosophy behind it, it's made by different people, but fortunately I used the time in winter to make sure I feel comfortable, I get used to all the buttons, switch changes and so on, so I could really focus on the car. Of course we didn't run an awful lot today but what we did felt good as a starting point. More I cannot say and I don't want to say because it's way too early for that."
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