Sebastian Vettel is convinced Ferrari have a better car than the one that stuttered through a winless season last year but has played down his team's chances of upsetting Mercedes at Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The four-times world champion has joined Kimi Raikkonen at Formula One's glamour team and has also something to prove after failing to win a race in his final season with Red Bull.
Ferrari enjoyed a solid winter testing but constructors' champions Mercedes set the benchmark and are tipped to carry their dominance into Sunday's race at Albert Park.
"I didn’t try last year’s car but I think it’s a step forward," Vettel told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.
"In fact, compared to where I was last year, it really feels like a good car. I think people have been pushing on all fronts trying to improve and so far they've succeeded but equally we know we have work to do.
"I think it would be a bit too aggressive (to say that)," Vettel added, when asked whether Ferrari could beat Mercedes in Melbourne.
"I think we have to keep our feet on the ground. After winter testing it will be interesting to find out where we are, to find out where we are compared to other people. The most important is we have a solid start and work from there.
"We need to go step-by-step.
Dressed in Ferrari red and sporting a new cropped haircut, the 27-year-old arrives at Albert Park as just one of the chasing pack, a new feeling after three consecutive years as defending champion with Red Bull.
Fitting into the Maranello way of doing things had been "fun", said the German, but there was plenty more to learn.
"Every team has got it’s own way to operate and to work," he said. "There’s a lot of stuff I’ve had to get used to and still probably have to.
"I need to get to know the team better and the team to know me which will still probably take some time."
Vettel has replaced twice world champion Fernando Alonso, now departed for McLaren, to join up with 2007 world champion Raikkonen, nicknamed 'Ice Man'.
How the new pair interact will be closely watched at Melbourne and Vettel joked when asked whether he was friendly with the Finn.
"It depends on your understanding of friends," he said.
"I don’t expect any difficulties on a personal level. I’m sure we’ll try to beat each other on the track."
No advice needed for teenage debutant Verstappen
Max Verstappen may be set to become Formula One's youngest ever racer when he eases into his Toro Rosso at Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, but advice from his rivals was in short supply three days before the 17-year-old's debut.
"Despite the fact he's still young, he has already experience and he's quick -- otherwise he wouldn't be here," four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel told reporters at Albert Park with a shrug.
"I don't think he needs much advice."
The son of Dutch former Formula One regular Jos, a past team mate of Michael Schumacher, motorsport runs through Verstappen's veins.
Paddock luminaries, including Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko, have queued up to lavish praise on the ruddy-cheeked rookie as a natural, if raw, talent.
He became the youngest driver to take part in a F1 weekend last year when he got behind the wheel in Friday practice at the Japanese Grand Prix, only three days after his 17th birthday.
A replacement for Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, Verstappen's signing in August proved so controversial the governing FIA rewrote the rules, making 18 the minimum age for drivers to get a super-license.
Verstappen has taken the attention in his stride but surrounded by more seasoned colleagues during Thursday's official media conference, he occasionally squirmed like an under-age boy that has snuck into a bar.
"You were born in 1997?" 30-year-old world champion Lewis Hamilton asked in mock wonder. "Jeeeezzz ... I signed my first contract with McLaren in 1997."
Daniel Ricciardo made the step up to Red Bull last year after a few years with feeder team Toro Rosso and was deemed as the best placed to pass on some pearls of wisdom.
"This is probably more cameras than he's ever been in front of all his life," the amiable Australian said.
"They're pretty friendly, they're OK, so just go and enjoy it," he urged. "Get behind the wheel and remember that's the main reason why you're here is to be on the track Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
"So enjoy those few hours and I think the rest will come."
Verstappen will partner with another rookie in 20-year-old Spaniard Carlos Sainz at Toro Rosso, the pair forming the championship's youngest team.
Media shyness aside, Verstappen is unfazed about his globe-trotting life as a F1 driver, when most 17-year-olds are chained to school desks.
"To be honest, since I was younger, I've never seen something else because my dad was doing it," he said. "So, it doesn't feel like anything new, I just deal with it."
