But both drivers are acutely aware of the added pressure the outfit faces to stop the Mercedes from winning a race only for the second time this year.
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Nico Rosberg led the way in an eventful final practice session Saturday for the Singapore Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton again struggled and a giant monitor lizard startled Max Verstappen.
Vettel believes a return to form for Mercedes is a more likely outcome than a first win of the season for Ferrari.
This season has been far less fruitful for Ferrari, without a win in 14 races and behind Mercedes and Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.
Vettel was unsure where he lost time but is sure there is more to come on Saturday.
Sebastian Vettel discusses the Singapore GP in the run up to the race…
Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo is keeping his fingers crossed that next year’s rule changes – an overhaul of the aerodynamic regulations will see a wider chassis and tyres – will see a closer championship race.
While it is a long wait for drivers with six races left in the season after Singapore, a number of teams will fancy their chances of a podium finish – or even a title win – in Singapore this weekend.
“It’s obviously the next closest track to Monaco, so sure we look at it as a good chance to try to get the victory I’ve been after this season”, said Ricciardo.
Jenson Button: “When I stopped the vehicle on track, I was fortunate enough to be pushed back to the pits because there wasn’t an opening on the circuit to park the auto. We are a group of winners, so if there is pressure on us to get it done this weekend, we will thrive on that”. “It’s hard for me to say now that we will be the No. 1 team this weekend, because we haven’t had a chance to race here yet”. When we started off a year ago it was clear where we wanted to go, bring Ferrari back to the top. “But a lot of work went into understanding that”.
“I like the track and I’m full of optimism, I know that we have to do our homework to get prepared and then we’ll see where we are”. “But if we do, we’ve got the tools to correct it”.
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Rosberg, who has won the past two races and trails Hamilton by only two points, recovered from a crash into a tire barrier in the first session at the Marina Bay street circuit. Rosberg has never won in Singapore, and his best race performance dates back to 2008 when he finished second for Williams.
