Ferrari may have caused a sensation by beating Mercedes to victory in Australia, but the balance resets as F1 moves to the first permanent circuit of 2017 in Shanghai. And while championship leader Sebastian Vettel admits the Silver Arrows may still have a slight advantage in one-lap pace, he says the Scuderia have a new spring in their step - and a new confidence that they can go wheel to wheel with the reigning champions...

Q: Sebastian, if you look back to the Melbourne race - to looking down from the podium and seeing your team delightedly singing the Italian anthem - how inspiring is that for this weekend?

Sebastian Vettel: The whole team was extremely happy with the result in Melbourne - including me! And that, of course, triggers everyone's willingness to work even harder. But we are also all aware that it was just one win, and that there is no guarantee that it will go on like this from now on. It was just one step from many that have to be done - but yes, it was in important one!

Q: So how hungry are you for a repeat?

SV: We are all hungry! It was one win, and it tasted wonderful - and now we all want more. I think that is the vibe you feel in the team. More is now the word of the moment. And many projects will be advanced even sooner now.

Q: The whole of Italy went frantic after the win - millions of viewers, a record, watched the repeat. How does that feel?

SV: Of course Ferrari is special in Italy. You feel that pleasantly when things work out perfectly - but you also notice it when things don't go so well! (Laughs) That oscillation between euphoria and doldrums makes it somehow very special - it's the famous Ferrari feel! Of course you want more of the euphoria, that goes without saying.

Q: What is so different now compared to last season?

SV: Hold on: we have only one race under our belt this season, so it would be wise to stay grounded. Yes, true, a lot of things have happened in the team - things that you don't notice from the outside like the internal structure and how the communication has improved, which translates into a smoother flow of proce