Ferrari comfortably led both practice sessions for Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix but Friday evening’s pacesetter Sebastian Vettel was quick to play down the squad’s apparent advantage.
Ferrari undertook a deep-rooted investigation in the wake of its subdued display at the Australian Grand Prix, with the lack of pace in Melbourne bemusing its team boss and drivers.
Charles Leclerc led Vettel in the daytime first practice session at Sakhir on Friday before Vettel turned the tables in the evening session.
Vettel edged Leclerc by 0.035s, despite a wide moment at the final corner, as Ferrari finished practice six-tenths clear of lead Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
It was a marked difference compared to the conclusion of Friday practice in Australia, but Vettel was eager to dismiss the supposed performance advantage.
“Obviously today the result was good and we were probably on a different strategy to other people so I wouldn’t put too much attention on that,” he said.
“I think for tomorrow we still need to improve, especially Mercedes looks very fast.
“The result is one thing but we still need to work and I think we can improve. That’s the feeling I had inside the car.
“For sure it was better than Australia but there’s still more in the car. Then I think if we unleash that then we should be in good shape tomorrow and hopefully we can be a lot closer and put Mercedes under pressure.”
“I expect them (Mercedes) to be very strong in qualifying. Also keeping an eye on the Red Bulls, they looked very strong in the corners today. I think it will be very close. I hope it will be very close.”
Vettel has triumphed in Bahrain across the past two seasons.
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