By alley - Aug 16, 2017, 2:38 PM ET

Vettel proud of Ferrari development improvement

Sebastian Vettel believes Ferrari has improved its ability to develop its car this year compared to previous seasons and says other teams have been copying its designs.

While Ferrari was the nearest challenger to Mercedes at the start of the last two seasons, it faded somewhat on both occasions, most notably in 2016 when Red Bull emerged as the second quickest team toward the end of the year. However, this season Ferrari won the opening race and Vettel has gone on to secure three further victories, including leading home a one-two in Hungary before the summer break.

"Well it's been rewarding for the team," Vettel said when asked if it was rewarding to prove Ferrari's doubters wrong. "It's a fact to say in the last couple of years we didn't have the best car and a fact to say in the last few years we weren't the strongest as developing the car, but I think if you look at the progression this year is a different story – and we keep progressing.

"We brought a lot of bits; we have seen a lot of bits from other people copying us, but that's a good sign and a testimony of hard and good work and the achievement that has gone into this car and this project. We will keep pushing flat out."

"I think the main strength of Ferrari is passion for the brand and the passion for racing. Ultimately that's what drives us; we love what we do. The team is a much better shape this year and if you have the right results coming your way you start to pick up a bit of momentum, so it's up to us to keep it going.

"But I'm quite confident we have the right people, we know how to build a good car, we've also improved the engine massively, so everything is going in the right direction. We will see in terms of time whether we will be ahead or behind but I'm confident we will be there and fight for hopefully a lot of big points."