Vettel outlines 'key' to Ferrari's title hopes

Sebastian Vettel has laid down the challenge to his Ferrari team to win the development race in Formula 1 and deliver title glory. Vettel leads the drivers' championship from Lewis Hamilton after winning the British Grand Prix, with Ferrari also leading Mercedes in the constructors' standings.

Vettel heads to the German Grand Prix hoping for home success having bested Hamilton in his back yard last time out.

The championship lead has swapped hands numerous times already this season, with Ferrari having finally appeared to have pulled level with Mercedes after several years of domination by the Silver Arrows in the V6 hybrid era.

Vettel has warned that the Scuderia cannot rest on their laurels, however, having seen the drivers' title slip out of his hands last season.

"I think we need to improve our car until the end of the year," he said. "I think our car is very good. I think our car is working well on these [Silverstone] type of tracks.

"[But developing] will be key, because then you have something to fight [with].

"And if you have something to fight [with], something to play with, then you can make it happen."

Vettel's wishes appear to already have been put to practice by Ferrari, with their constant gains in the power stakes so far this season arguably overtaking Mercedes.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, in fact, pointed to the recent upturn from customers Haas and Sauber as proof that the Scuderia may now be the team to beat.

"I think it's setting the benchmark now," Horner said of the Ferrari PU.

"You can see with Haas and Sauber as well having made good gains."