Sebastian Vettel took heart from Ferrari’s pace through the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend despite losing more ground on Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton, believing the Italian marque can have the upper hand🧸 through the final five races of the season.

Vettel started last in Malaysia after ♏an engine issue in qualifying, but wa🐎s able to fight his way back up to fourth place at the chequered flag.

Hamilton grabbed second p🍌lace to extend his advantage to 34 points, but appeared to struggle for pace at a track Mercedes wa𝓀s expected to dominate at.

When asked if he thought Ferrari cou꧑ld beat Mercedes, Vettel said: “Yes. I think we are quicker.”

“Obviously a bit of a shame with Kimi [Raikkonen] starting in the front but not able to start the race, us starting in the back having to come🧸 from the back.

“It’s been a difficult weekend, but 🐻nevertheless, the speed is prom▨ising.”

Ferrari had a tough weekend in Malaysia that saw Vettel and team-mate Raikkonen suওffer three engine failures collectively but the German is sure the team can get on top of its reliability ♏woes.

“I think we have it under control. Obviously this weekend we 🔜did not,” Vettel said.

“It’s a shame that both of us compromised our weekend, me yesterday,🍰 Kimi today. I don’t know if it was the same issue, we need to have🉐 look.

“But for sure it’s not ideal if you retire one car yesterday and one today, so it’s something we need to obviousl♓y understand. So far we had a pretty good record this year for reliability.

“For sure you’re always on the🤪 🐠edge, but if you speak to other people it’s the same. So not too worried to be honest, but we need to get on top of the problems that we have.”