“But it is tight and we’re not as confident as we used to be, so small things
can make a difference in qualifying and have a big impact on the race.
“The faster you go on Saturday, the easier the race is on Sunday.”
Prior to the weekend Vettel had been out-qualified by team-mate Mark Webber in
the first three races such was his slump in form.
The 24-year-old German has chopped and changed with regard to different
aspects of his car in a bid to find what suits him best.
Despite his win from pole in Bahrain, the 17th of his F1 career that elevates
him up to joint fourth alongside Nigel Mansell in the sport’s history books,
Vettel knows there is more to come.
“We’ve only had four races,” said Vettel.
“I’m not entirely happy with where we are, but I think there’s great potential
in the car.
“You have to give yourself time to try different things and see what works
best for you.
“Maybe Mark is struggling a bit less (this season), I don’t know, but we talk
about how the car feels and agree on most stuff.”
Vettel admits the three-day test next week in Mugello, the first in season
since 2008, is “crucial” for the team if they are to make the progress he
expects in the races that follow.
Vettel added: “In Italy we’ll be able to test and evaluate a lot of things and
get the car in a happier place for Barcelona (the Spanish Grand Prix on May
13).”