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 was able to fight his w🐬ay back up to fourth place🦂 at the chequered flag.

Hamilton grabbed second place to extenꦺd his advantage to 34 points, but appea⛄red to struggle for pace at a track Mercedes was expected to dominate at.

When asked if he thought Ferrari could 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 rඣace, us starting in the back having to come from the back.

“It’s been a difficult weekend, but nevertheless, the speed is promisiܫng.”

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

“I think we have it under control. Obviously this wee𓂃kend 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 yes💖terday and one today, so it’s something we ne💞ed to obviously 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 pe💧ople it’s the same. So not too worried to be honest, but we need to get on top of the problems that we have.”