Sebastian Vettel expects Ferrari to go from strength to strength in 2016 as he starts to have more of an input within the team.
Four-time world champion Vettel has enjoyed a strong 2015 campaign, picking up three race wins and nine other podium finishes. After retiring in Mexico last time out, the German sits third in the drivers’ championship, behind champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
And the former Red Bull man thinks Ferrari can pose an even bigger threat to the Mercedes duo next year.
“The season we have had so far has been phenomenal when you consider where the team was last year and the situation that we faced at the beginning with a lot of new people,” Vettel is quoted as saying by Crash.net.
“I am quite confident and hope that next year is a big step.
“There has been a lot of work going to get the team together as there are a lot of new people. These things take time just so everybody understands what to do.
“That has been the main challenge this year for the whole team. I was new at the beginning, so people needed to understand my language when I talk about that car.”
Vettel added: “There is a possibility for us to improve. We have done a massive step on the engine and that is ongoing.
“If you look at the car we are not yet where we want to be, we want the best engine and best car, so there is plenty more to do.
“It is no secret that we need more downforce than we currently have but it is more the organisation behind to allow yourself in the future to extract the maximum.”