Sebastian Vettel reckons Ferrari's pace at the Japanese Grand Prix demonstrated "a big amount" of improvement since the middle of the season.
Vettel had to settle for fourth at Suzuka after another questionable strategy call saw him put on the soft compound tyre and fade in the final stint after emerging behind Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari had out-qualified both Red Bull drivers on Saturday but started further down the field for separate penalties.
"I think there's been a lot of positives this weekend," Vettel said. "Despite the penalty, the qualifying was very strong, the pace of the car was good in the race as well, we were probably the second quickest car out there. So a lot of positives.
"For sure, not entirely happy because if the podium's there for grasp and you don't take it then it always feels a bit disappointing. But as I said, a lot of positives. If you compare here to Silverstone, which in terms of track characteristics is similar, plus the fact it was quite windy, stuff like that, I think we've improved a big amount since that time."
Despite finishing off the podium, Vettel refused to blame the "risk" Ferrari took on strategy or the numerous backmarkers he complained about during the race. Vettel explained that the team was forced into its eventual strategy by trying to catch second-placed Max Verstappen early in the race.
"We had different plans for the strategy. We obviously had a great start, made good progress in the first couple of laps, gaining a few positions. I think we tried everything to put Max under pressure. He reacted by pitting a bit earlier, all the time, in both stops and we obviously didn't have the freedom in the second stop, as we would pit into traffic with Ricciardo. He could, because in the worst case scenario he could pass Daniel very easily.
"It was at that point [after the second stop] we decided to go longer in order to come back at the end of the race. Unfortunately the way it turned out the soft tyre didn't last very long and on top of that we lost a position as well to Lewis. But if you look at the position at the end to Lewis, I don't think there was anything we could have done to hold him because the gap to the podium ultimately too big."