Malaysian GP: Sebastian Vettel not ruling out Ferrari F1 victory

The Ferrari driver took his chance in the wet conditions, denying Mercedes a 10th straight front row lock-out, and falling just 0.074 seconds short of Lewis Hamilton's pole time.

Between Ferrari's promising long runs in practice and the chance of mixed weather conditions, Vettel said that fighting for victory at Sepang was not out of the question.

"You never know. Just look outside; when it starts to rain here, which is a high chance, it can mix up things," said the German.

"The car felt good, I'm reasonably happy. Also the long runs looked good in practice, so we should be in good shape.

"We know they are difficult to beat, but ultimately that is why everyone turns up - trying to win.

"The balance was pretty good in qualifying, Friday was solid, and we seem to be looking after the tyres.

"I know this race can be a difficult one with the tyres, plus you never know with the race, it could mix things around.

"Starting where we do, I think we have a decent chance to do well tomorrow. We could be up for anything."

ROSBERG: MERCEDES HAS FERRARI COVERED

Third-place starter Nico Rosberg remains confident Mercedes still has Vettel covered for pace, even if the gap is not as comfortable as it was in Australia.

"We used up the tyres a bit just cruising round because there was so much grip out there and that's why Sebastian was relatively quick at the end there compared to us, because he did the strategy right - which was one lap," said Rosberg.

"He just nailed that, and he did a good job of course, but that explains some of our being down because both Lewis and I were beaten by him in the end on that [second] lap.

"[Ferrari] is right there so we need to be at our best.

"But I'm confident we have an advantage over them and we are still the best.

"But, they are coming at us."