Marchionne: Work to do for Ferrari

Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne says the Scuderia still have a "long way to go" despite Sebastian Vettel starting the 2018 Formula 1 season with back-to-back wins. After a sneaky win in Australia, Vettel delivered a special drive to take the chequered flag at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Using soft tyres that had an expected a lifespan of 30 laps, Vettel managed to make them last for 39 to hold off Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas in Sakhir.

It maintains Vettel's fine start to the season after pipping Lewis Hamilton under the Virtual Safety Car in Melbourne a fortnight previously.

A driver has not won the opening two rounds of an F1 season and failed to go on to win the championship since Alain Prost in 1982.

"The team performed consistently all weekend and we were front runners right from the start of practice," said Marchionne in a statement.

"It was a difficult race and Sebastian drove like a true champion. I am sorry for Kimi who could certainly have finished on the podium.

"This grand prix confirms that the Scuderia has a great car, a solid team and two drivers on top form. But it also showed how close things are between us and our rivals, who are very strong.

"That's why, at the risk of repeating myself, it's worth pointing out that there is still a long way to go and we have to maintain a high level of concentration, continuing to work diligently and with passion, which is something we are well capable of.

"It's the only way we can give our fans other equally satisfying Sundays."