Sebastian Vettel: Spanish GP key test for Ferrari's F1 title hopes

Teams traditionally embark on a fast-paced development race from the start to the European campaign, bolting on significant upgrades to their cars.

To date Ferrari has been able to keep Mercedes in its sights, picking up a surprise win in Malaysia courtesy of Vettel, although after four races the gap between the two rivals in the constructors' standings is 52 points.

Vettel knows, though, a strong performance at Barcelona on Sunday will tee up Ferrari nicely to continue to challenge Mercedes over the next few grands prix.

When it was suggested to Vettel a big step from Ferrari in Spain could change the course of the championship fight, the four times champion replied: "Well I hope everybody is right. We will wait and see what happens on Sunday.

"Barcelona, historically, has always been a place where teams have brought updates to cars, sometimes bigger or smaller.

"We've probably done the same as everyone else, but hopefully we'll have a bigger update and a better laptime to catch up to the guys in front, Mercedes.

"If we can show we've made a step forward here I guess that would be the case for the races coming.

"Gradually you have to improve because that is the speed of Formula 1, but it is a good reference if you are faster here."

Vettel is hoping the good form Ferrari showed at Barcelona in winter testing, in addition to the new parts, will ensure it makes the expected leap forward.

"What we need to do is be faster in every condition, and especially in the race when it matters for the points. That is what we are targeting," added Vettel.

"It's true we know the circuit very well as we have been here for winter testing, and the way the car behaved we are very happy with, which is a positive.

"But then the conditions this weekend are very different, between 15 and 20 degrees hotter than they were for testing, which can change a lot of things.

"We have the experience of the first four races and we were able to learn a lot and improve the car, which we can carry into this weekend."

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda has already stated he feels Ferrari will be closer to Mercedes, to which Vettel smiled and replied: "First of all Niki says a lot. I hope he is right and hopefully we can be more than a bit more than close.

"Not so long ago - three months - we were here for winter testing and the gap between everyone and Mercedes was huge.

"What has happened since then for us has been very positive.

"If we can keep the trend up then it is very good news, but there is still the gap there and it is still big."