Ferrari making Vettel think too much

Sebastian Vettel says he is being forced to think too much by Ferrari's 2018 car and hopes a fix will be put in place to boost is confidence. Vettel admitted that luck had played a major role in his victory at the Australian Grand Prix after capitalising on a Virtual Safety Car period to beat Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen were caught out by Romain Grosjean's retirement as Vettel's extended first stint helped him consolidate the race lead once full action resumed.

After the race, Vettel expressed a belief that Ferrari are further away from constructors' champions Mercedes compared to 2017, which also started with the German beating Hamilton in Melbourne.

Vettel previously struggled with Red Bull in 2014 when the new regulations meant his previously title-winning car did not handle to his liking.

And, though he accepts fixes will not be made purely to suit him, Vettel hopes that he will grow to feel more at one with the car as the season goes on.

"Of course, it's our job to drive around problems that we have," Vettel said. "But if I could choose, I would like it a bit different.

"It's not a big drama. I think we can live with it. But I feel also if we get on top of that then you feel more confident.

"That's exactly where it makes a difference: if then then have the confidence and you trust the car, you don't think for a second, you just go out and do it.

"At the moment, it just feels a bit too conscious. So, let's hope I get to think less, and we need to think less in the next races.

"A track like [Albert Park], when you have confidence it makes a big difference.

"You always try to push but equally to try to be a bit safe – because you don't want to throw it away."