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Vettel: Ferrari close to perfection already

Vettel: Ferrari "close to perfection" already

18-02-2019 18:10
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel is over the moon with his new car, as the German claimed it is "close to perfection" already after being the quickest in Monday's testing with the most laps logged as well.

With 169 under his belt, Vettel ran more than the two Mercedes cars combined, for example, while also beating their best lap times by two whole seconds. This isn't representative, of course, but it's very good news nonetheless for the German as he continues his quest for a fifth title.

“We couldn’t have hoped for a better day,” the four-time champion told RaceFans at the Circuit de Catalunya after the day of testing was done.

“I think it was unbelievable. The car was working really well, we had no issues slowing us down.

“We actually completed the program just the way we wanted. And we’re able to squeeze a little bit more out even.”

Vettel was a full second quicker than any other driver on the same compound, the C3, while second-placed Carlos Sainz only came within half a second on softer tyres.

"I feel comfortable. Obviously I’m still a bit rusty because I haven’t driven for a couple of months. But [it’s] getting better, I certainly got enough laps today, I’ll sleep well tonight. The car’s working well, I’m very happy it’s doing what I want. So I’m very pleased at the moment,” said a visibly pleased Vettel.

The German did stop himself in his tracks, though, as he said it's still very early and his display on Monday certainly won't be the way the entire season will go.

“Obviously it’s very early, the first day and it’s meaningless in a couple of weeks. But for now, I think huge compliments to everyone back in the factory. How they tackled the new rules and regulations and what they put on track today is very close to perfection on the first day of driving.

“The amount of laps that we did how the team was handling the car and obviously everything is more on the edge compared to last year car and tight and so on, what you’d imagine but as I said no no major dramas. So from that point of view, we were very, very well prepared.”