Sebastian Vettel took heart from Ferrari’s pace through the Malaysian Gra🐭nd Prix weekend despite losing more grouꦡnd 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 way back up to fourth place at the chequered flag.

Hamilton grabbed second place𝓀 to extend his advantage to 34 points, but appeared 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 🅠w🃏e are quicker.”

“Obviously a bit of a shame with Kimi [Raikkonen] starting in the front but ℱnot able to start the race, us starting in the back having to come f𝕴rom the back.

“It’s been a difficult wee𒅌kend, but nevertheless, the speed is 𓆏promising.”

Ferrari had a tough weekend in Malaysia that saw Vettel and team-mate Raikkonen suffer three engine faiꦯlures 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,” Vett🔯el sai🎐d.

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

“B𝓡ut for sure it’s not ideal if you retire one car yesterday and one today, so it’s something we need 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 people it’s the same. So not too worried to🍌 be honest, but we need to get on top of the prಞoblems that we have.”