- Ferrari
Vettel: Ricciardo proved Merc is beatable
Sebastian Vettel says his former Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo proved last year that beating Mercedes is not impossible if you put yourself in a strong position.
Vettel is set for his Ferrari debut at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend as he starts his first season away from the Red Bull programme. The team had an optimistic start to the winter following a winless season in 2014 but has cooled expectations, with boss Maurizio Arrivabene saying two wins should be the aim this year.
Ricciardo overshadowed Vettel in his final year at Red Bull by winning three races - the only non-Mercedes driver to do so - and the German says that proves it is possible again in 2015.
"It depends on the form of the other team as well," Vettel said about winning races this year. "We have made a step, we are yet to find out how big the step is. Then it depends. We saw last year there is a chance to win races, not just for Mercedes, so if you put yourself in a strong position, probably at the start of the season right behind, if something happens, you are there. I'm sure that's not what they want but this is something that can happen to all of the drivers, all of the teams."
Vettel joins good friend Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari but he is not concerned about the relationship turning sour now they are in the same garage.
"No, to be honest," he said when asked if he was worried about a rift with the Finn. "I've known Kimi for a while now and we respect each other. He's very straightforward, honest, which I appreciate a lot. I think we try to beat each other on the track and if there are issues I think we are old enough to talk about it and sort it out."
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