You ain't seen nothing yet, says Ferrari

Reuters

WARNING: Ferrari's one-two season-opening win in Bahrain is just the start, and they believe they can do a lot better.

Relevant offers

Warning to McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull: Ferrari's one-two season-opening win in Bahrain is just the start, and they believe they can do a lot better.

Team chief Stefanco Domenicali looked back on Ferrari's analysis of their first day triumph and beamed with pleasure, but ahead of the Melbourne Grand Prix a week on Sunday he only marked it with an eight out of ten.

"We had a pile of problems and we did well, so I have to say that given that trouble, the team did a good job, but I would say it was only an eight out of ten weekend. We can do better," said Domenicali.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of Spain led the way home after taking full advantage of German Sebastian Vettel's mid-race loss of power with his Red Bull-Renault car to snatch a great win, with Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa following him home in second.

"Of course, that was excellent, to finish first and second, an outstanding achievement," said Domenicali.

"But it is a long season. And we had a long list of problems in Bahrain that we plan to fix before we reach Australia - we don't want to repeat them.

"So I hope we can be stronger, but we are very respectful too of our rivals. Yes, our car is competitive, but there are a lot of other teams that are very strong and we are ready for whatever lies ahead, I hope."

While Ferrari have oozed confidence since their opening day win McLaren have also been busy studying the data of their cars' performances.

And, both drivers - defending champion Jenson Button and fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton - believe they can improve and match the Italian team.

"You wouldn't believe how much we have learned and of course it is a very different circuit," said Hamilton, who finished third in Bahrain.

"I am sure we are going to be very strong in Melbourne."

Button was also confident. "I am settling in and learning and every race I am going to be stronger. This is going to be a better race for us, I am sure of that."

- AAP