Vettel confident in ability to challenge Mercedes

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Sebastian Vettel will line up alongside Lewis Hamilton on the front row of the Australian Grand Prix, conceding 0.268s to the Mercedes driver in Saturday's qualifying session.

Like all drivers involved in Q3, Vettel set his fastest lasp on the ultra-soft compound, the favoured tyre here in Melbourne

Compared to last year's event at Albert park, the gap between the two men on the front row has been meaningfully reduced, proving the level of Ferrari's progress this year.

"I think we have a good car, we're working well as a team and things are improving," Vettel said.

"We had a mixed day yesterday but the confidence in the car was there from testing and I think we showed it again today."

As soon as Vettel concluded his ultimate qualifying run, Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene left the pit walk with a body language that appeared to express disappointment with Vettel's performance.

But while the German driver was indeed not all that satisfied with his last run, he admitted the pole position was also out of reach.

"In the end, I was not entirely happy with my lap. Pretty happy in the end but so much with the opening of the lap where we lost a bit too much, but I think Lewis did a very good lap so.

"I would have loved to but I don't think pole was up for grabs," Vettel added.

The four-time world champion is confident however of mounting a challenge on Sunday, reiterating his belief that team and car have come a long way over the past year year.

"Tomorrow I think we can do something in the race. The car feels good, we've improved it so the pace should be much better than it was yesterday.

"It's been a big winter for us, with a lot of change we've gone through as a team in the last twelve months, and for the better. I think the team is getting stronger

"Of course everybody has been pushing very hard. It's not so easy to come, it's a long journey to get to Australia but I think people are fired up and we are motivated for tomorrow. "

Gallery: all the pics from Saturday's action

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.