Costa: Ferrari have a lot to prove yet

The team have won the last two races in Malaysia and Bahrain, overtaking rivals McLaren in the standings after a one-two in Sakhir last Sunday. Ferrari are one point behind BMW.

Costa reckons those two circuits have suited the characteristics of Ferrari's car, but he believes the team will have to show they have made progress on tracks where they weren't so fast last year.

"The circuits in Malaysia and Bahrain suited the Ferrari perfectly. On other tracks we know we must close the gap and improve, and we are preparing for it," Costa told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Sepang and Sakhir are new-generation circuits, with a certain type of corners and surface. On street circuits, where we already had problems last year, we must demonstrate to have improved.

"Up to now we've raced on peculiar tracks. We'll have to see what happens on the upcoming circuits. The championship has just started."

Although Costa is adamant that the new F2008 is stronger than last year's car in every area, he believes the slower circuits like Monaco are likely to put them to the test again.

"They (the improvements) are mostly in the aerodynamics, but also in the mechanics. The car has improved under every aspect. We still need to verify this on the tight tracks where the F2007 had its shortcomings. We'll wait," he added.

The Italian, however, thinks that the pecking order is unlikely to change at the Spanish Grand Prix.

"It's no different from other circuits. It isn't so demanding, compared to Malaysia and Bahrain, so I don't expect surprises."

Costa admitted that he was expecting the team to have scored more points by now, following a dismal Australian Grand Prix.

"Certainly. The first Grand Prix came as a shock. We promptly recovered from it, but if we brought back home some points from Melbourne we'd all be happier now. And we'd be in a better position in the two championship tables."