In preseason testing Ferrari showed signs of a revival with their new SF15-T and at the season opening Australian Grand Prix it came to pass that the Reds had made a significant step forward in the Formula 1 pecking order, but team chief Maurizio Arrivabene says second best is not enough for the Maranello outfit.
Arrivabene said, "I’m only half happy today, because the real joy comes when you win. I am happy about the podium and for Seb, but above all I am pleased for the team, because this is a good starting point, although it’s definitely not the end of the road."
Sebastian Vettel finished third, which was the team's first podium since Hungary last year, while Kimi Raikkonen also showed strongly in the race and appeared heading for fourth place until a stubborn wheelnut forced him to retire. But the message was clear: Ferrari were bettered only by Mercedes.
"I am sorry for Kimi, because everyone could see how strong he was in the race," reflected Arrivabene. "But at the second pit stop, there was a problem with a wheelnut on which the threads had already been crossed during the first one."
"We realised there was a possible problem and we decided to stop the car immediately, because safety is the number one priority."
"Looking to Malaysia, we will keep our feet on the ground, because the Albert Park is a rather unusual track. If the second Williams had also been racing today,there would have been a clearer picture of the opposition we face."
"But now we have realised we can do well, we must begin to stop thinking about being second best and start aiming higher," declared Arrivabene.
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