Vettel: I Feel Ferrari

Speaking to reporters during the drivers' press conference at Monza, Vettel said, "Well, first of all, I find it quite nice that we get put in this position."

"I think people forget that maybe for the last five years, Mercedes has been absolutely dominant, especially in terms of power unit, and obviously, it’s nice from them to put us in that position because it means they believe they are not the strongest any more."

"So, it’s good to be up there with them and be a match but I don’t think we can take anything for granted. I don’t think we are anywhere near in the place they have been in the last years."

"So, I think we have to work hard to make things happen, and we are determined to work hard this weekend to put ourselves in the same position again, that we have a great pace in the weekend and especially in the race on Sunday."

"I don’t feel anything related to Mercedes. I feel Ferrari, and especially this weekend – and that’s what I want to enjoy. I don’t know in which state or mind they are. I think, y’know, we are obviously up against the best if you fight for the front positions."

"And Mercedes have proven to be the best over the last years. I think they have been for many reasons. What we want to do, obviously, is to beat them – so we need to be better than them. I think that’s what we need to focus on. In which shape they are, and so on, I think it’s more for them to answer."

"As I said, this weekend, I don’t feel anything with Mercedes, I feel Ferrari – so looking forward to that," added Vettel who trails Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings by 17 points with eight rounds remaining.