Ferrari have gone backwards despite Melbourne win, says Vettel

Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari are starting the 2018 campaign with a worse car than they did in 2017, despite beating Lewis Hamilton to win the Australian Grand Prix. Vettel was the big winner of a Virtual Safety Car period, converting third place on the grid into a second successive win in Melbourne.

Although he was celebrating at the chequered flag, Vettel later admitted that he had enjoyed a huge slice of luck when Romain Grosjean pulled up to prompt a VSC period, during which time he pitted and emerged ahead of Hamilton for the outright lead of the race.

Vettel was only ahead after extending an opening stint in which he admitted he had become "disconnected" from pole-sitter Hamilton and Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen ahead.

Hamilton suggested later that Ferrari would be "rapid" in two weeks' time at Bahrain, having not shown their true potential in Melbourne, but Vettel appeared to hint at the Scuderia not having many more levels to go to as it stands.

"We didn't have the true race pace to match [Mercedes]," Vettel said.

"If we're fair, Lewis was fastest whereas last year I think we had a bit more pace at this point. Last year we were putting them under pressure.

"At the moment we're a bit worse [compared to 2017]. If you look at the gaps from the whole weekend we are not yet a true match so at this point we are not yet where we want to be.

"When I'm racing the car doesn't respond the way you would like. I want the car to be spot on when I hit the brakes and turn in. I'm still struggling a little bit and I'm not yet happy."

Vettel's title chances last year went up in smoke amid a wobble that started with a first-lap crash in Singapore and lasted for two more races.

He says the team were due the change in fortunes they benefitted from at Albert Park.

"Needless to say we got a bit lucky with the timing of the Safety Car but equally I think we had some races, in particular last year, where it went the other way," he said.

"I've been on the other side as well. Good points and for everyone back at home I think there are motivations to press on."