Abu Dhabi: Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen are looking to pose a greater threat to Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2016 after missing out in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships this season.
German Four-time world champion Vettel is third in the drivers’ standings, 31 points behind second-placed Rosberg, while his Finnish teammate Raikkonen a further 131 points behind in fifth. Ferrari are also second, 259 points behind Mercedes in the constructors championship, heading into this weekend’s season-ending Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.
“We’ve made big steps this year, we’re a lot closer but not close enough, we are not in reach, and we are still not the favourites going in,” said Vettel, who has the most wins in Abu Dhabi with three.
“Our target is to change that and it’s clear we need to improve the car and the engine. The reason Mercedes had such a great season is not just the car and the engine, but a combination of things.
“They’ve been able to improve significantly from last year and we expect them to keep going. Everyone wants to challenge them next year and they want to make bigger steps and that’s our target. We are looking into coming out with a stronger car and an improved engine. I don’t know what’s going on behind other peoples’ doors but I know what’s happening here [at Ferrari] and it looks promising,” said the 28-year-old, who has three wins and 13 podiums this season.
The 2007 world champion Raikkonen, who has won once here in Abu Dhabi in 2012, agreed with his teammate.
“Obviously this year has been stronger than last year and that all comes into next year,” said the Finn, who has no wins and two podiums in 2015. “The aim is to always try and be in front. Mercedes has been very strong in the last years and everybody is trying to beat them. Is that going to happen? Are we going to be in that position next year? We hope so at least.
“We have to wait until we put the cars on the circuit in a test and in the first few races, then we will really see where we are. There’s a lot of work being done in the factory, but it’s never the same as when we are on the circuit. Then we can see it, feel it, and we will know after a few laps, if it’s going to be a good one or a bad one. I’m sure we’re going to have a strong package, but is it strong enough? Only time will tell.”
