Sebastian Vettel: 'Sergio Marchionne pressure not negative'

Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari looks on as he sits in the garage during final practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 5, 2015
© Getty Images
Sebastian Vettel says that the pressure put on Ferrari by its president Sergio Marchionne is positive.

Sebastian Vettel has said that the pressure put on Ferrari by its president Sergio Marchionne is positive.

This week, with the Maranello marque having failed to win one of the four races so far, Marchionne declared that he "expects" victory in Barcelona, because Ferrari "deserve" it.

When asked about the effect that sort of pressure has on the team, German Vettel answered: "I don't want to comment on what is in the press but I know enough of what he has told me.

"But it's great to see that he cares and that he is as disappointed and frustrated as we all are that we have not achieved the results that we should have.

"I see it more positively than what the media calls pressure. I think it's good that the president is behind us."

His teammate Kimi Raikkonen also sounded positive on Thursday, saying that while Ferrari is still behind, the gap to Mercedes is no longer huge.

"If you look at how many points are still available, we are not so far away from the top," said the Finn.

Ferrari are on 76 points, 81 behind leaders Mercedes heading into this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

James Allison, technical director of Ferrari sits on the pit wall during day four of F1 winter testing at Circuit de Catalunya on March 4, 2016
Read Next:
Report: Allison could replace Arrivabene
>