Sebastian Vettel has warned Ferrari to raise their game in order to stop Lewis Hamilton from running away with the championship.

Vettel lost further ground in the title race after Valtteri Bottas led Hamilton home in Azerbaijan for a record fourth one-two finish from the opening four rounds for the Silver Arrows.

The German, whose winless streak now extends to beyond eight months, will head back to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix in a fortnight’s time 35 points off the championship summit.

Ferrari meanwhile are already 74 points behind Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.

Responding to Hamilton, who said Ferrari need to improve in order to take the fight to Mercedes this season, Vettel replied: “He is right, we need to pick it up.
“We need stronger pace. It is as simple as that. We need to be faster.”

Ferrari impressed in winter testing, but after four races, they seem to have no answer for Mercedes.

Although there are 17 rounds still remaining, the Scuderia’s quest to end a decade-long championship drought is facing a stern examination.

“You need the confidence in the car, and I am not yet there with it,” added Vettel.

“I feel like I am not driving at my best because the car doesn’t answer or respond the way I like.”

Vettel’s junior team-mate Leclerc dominated in practice for Ferrari here but threw away his chances of a maiden victory by stuffing his car into the barriers during qualifying.

He led the race for 20 laps, by virtue of being on a different strategy to the leaders, before taking the chequered flag in fifth.

“I made a mistake on Saturday, but I will come back from it stronger,” he said.

Provided by Press Association Sport