Strengthening Ferrari momentum has Vettel bullish for race day

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Despite missing out on pole, Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari can be happy with its performance in qualifying Saturday afternoon in Melbourne.

The Scuderia was left in the dust by Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, with Kimi Raikkonen and Vettel ending the session respectively second and third, but over six tenths of a second behind the unassailable Silver Arrows.

Vettel noted significant improvements of his SF71-H however, and suggested the gap was close with Mercedes in race trim.

"I think we can be happy. Yesterday I wasn’t happy, I didn’t really feel the car. It just kept coming better in qualifying," said the German right after the grid-defining session.

Hamilton happy to 'wipe the smile off' Vettel's face!

"On the last lap I had a bit of a moment into [Turn] 13, I tried to brake really late and it didn’t work. It was really close and it’s exciting for us when it’s that close.

"It's a shame that Lewis had quite a big gap at the end but I guess his lap was pretty good. Looking forward to tomorrow, I think we improved the car and we’ll see what happens tomorrow."

The four-time world champion is ready for tomorrow's battle royal, and is determined to give it his all the second the lights turn green.

"It’s very close. We saw yesterday on the long runs that pace is very close. It’s not the easiest place to overtake but who knows," he said.

"We have an opportunity at the start and the race, so who knows. I’m really happy for the team, it’s a good result. Let’s get going."

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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.