Sebastian Vettel said that in today's Italian Grand Prix he maximised his race for the first time in 'a while', but accepted that he was never likely to match Mercedes.
Vettel in Monza finished in third place behind the Mercedes pair, and admitted that it ended a run of results where he hadn't felt he had gotten the best out of his car.
"I think we extracted our best race which obviously, y'know… it's been a while since that's been the case," he said.
"It speaks for the team. I think we've done a very good job this weekend, everyone has been really focused."
Vettel accepted however that not having been able to pass both Mercedes at the start, the Ferraris wouldn't be able to match them.
"I think we had good pace but it was sort of expected that they are obviously a bit quicker than us, in race pace as well. And I think you could see at the end the result was fairly clear."
The German also paid tribute to the fan support that Ferrari receives at the Italian race.
"I think it's been a mega day for Ferrari," he added. "To get so much support. I think it felt even more than last year, which is great and hopefully it all peaks next year. Still, I can't complain: two podiums in Monza two times at the start with Ferrari. I think it's a great achievement, really happy and proud of that.
"Obviously our mission doesn't stop here. It's only the beginning. We want to win. That's what we really want. That's what the people deserve as well."
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