Vettel vows to work harder to break 'boring' Mercedes supremacy

©Ferrari

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Sebastian Vettel says Mercedes' sustained domination of Formula 1 is "boring" for the sport, but the Ferrari driver will work "harder and better" to bring an end to the Silver Arrows' supremacy.

Mercedes delivered its fourth consecutive one-two finish in Baku on Sunday, a record-breaking achievement in Grand Prix racing despite pundits' prediction before the season got underway that Ferrari would lead the way this year.

"Boring, isn't it?" said Vettel after Sunday's race in which the German finished third.

"So boring. It's not just four races. It has been four years, more or less."

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As tired as he is of staring at the back of his rivals' car, Vettel has no intention of relinquishing his ambitions, quite the contrary.

"[We have to] work harder, work better. We are pushing as hard as we can," insisted the four-time world champion.

"But you need to respect that they are doing phenomenally well and getting their cars most of the time in the right place.

"But I'm confident. I believe in this team and I know we can improve. I think we have a good car.

"We just haven't manage yet to put it always where it belongs, so it is difficult to have the trust and the feel, but I am sure it is going to turn around."

Vettel said that unlocking the full potential of his SF90 was like solving a Rubik's Cube!

"We just need to solve it," he added. "We have a lot of people who can do the Rubik's Cube in a couple of minutes. We have really clever people but we are working on a large-size Rubik's Cube."

Scuderia boss Mattia Binotto believes his team's now 74-point deficit to Mercedes in the Constructors' standings doesn't tell a true story.

"Obviously four races into the season, no win for Ferrari, four wins for Mercedes, no doubt they are very strong," conceded the Swiss.

"Certainly they [Mercedes] have got a slightly better car, but I think that the gap is not so big and the points are not reflecting the true potential of the cars."

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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.