Two-time defending Australian Grand Prix champion Sebastian Vettel has warned his Ferrari is in even better shape than when it won in Melbourne last year ahead of this weekend's Formula 1 season opener.
Ferrari has been tipped to finally threaten the dominance of Mercedes' five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2019 after blistering times at recent testing in Spain.
And four-time world champion Vettel certainly didn't talk down Ferrari's chances on Thursday, saying he hoped to go from the hunter to the hunted after Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.
Asked if Ferrari was in a better position than this time last year, Vettel said: "Yeah quite frankly because last year's winter testing didn't go well for us.
"We had some issues with the car to fix. We got a bit lucky with the race last year ...and grabbed the win.
"But now we are more prepared. Obviously you can't do better than last year's results but ... the spirit is good.
"Hopefully going away from here we are in the position as the hunted."
Stopping Hamilton and the Mercedes juggernaut is still easier said than done.
After Vettel got the early season jump last year, Hamilton swept all aside with 11 wins and 11 poles to claim yet another world title.
Mercedes are aiming to win six straight constructors' championships, equalling Ferrari's record run from 1999 with the great Michael Schumacher.
But Hamilton sounded wary of the Ferrari challenge, with Vettel this year teaming up with new co-driver Charles Leclerc, a highly touted young gun who replaced ex-world champ Kimi Raikkonen.
Hamilton claimed Ferrari may have a half a second edge per lap after testing in Barcelona and didn't exactly talk up Mercedes' chances at Thursday's packed press conference.
"It's only over the first few races do you get an idea of where everybody stands," Hamilton said.
"But when we said (at testing) we have some work to do we weren't talking BS - we do have a lot of work to do (to catch Ferrari).
"But it's a long season. It's about finishing races, making sure you get as many points as you can - I am not one for needing to stamp their authority early."
Vettel did not have to be reminded that Hamilton knows how to play the long game.
The German looked set to test Hamilton's Midas touch in 2018 when he held an eight point championship lead ahead of the German Grand Prix at the season's mid-way mark.
However, Vettel crashed out of his home event and Hamilton went on to win seven of the last 10 races to seal the 2018 crown.
The Briton finished 88 points clear of a shattered Vettel.
Practice at Albert Park starts on Friday.
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