Vettel urges calm ahead of opening race

Sebastian Vettel denied that the 2016 season will be defined by what happens in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March.

The Ferrari driver finished third in the world championship last season and hopes he can push the all-conquering Mercedes team harder this year.

Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne hinted that the season would be decided by how much progress teams can make in the winter but Vettel has urged fans to remain patient.

"It's natural that we all want to win - the team is quite big, there's a lot of people and if you ask everyone, I think [they all agree] our target is to win," he said.

"But we know it's very ambitious, we know that the gap has been quite big last year. I think we did a good job over the season to come closer.

"This year we have some changes and we will have to see - obviously the testing is crucial to start on the right foot and then we go from there.

"But Australia is one race from 21. If you win there, it's great, if not - you try to finish as close as possible to the top step and collect as many points. And after that it's a long year."

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