Two-time defending Australian Grand Prix champion Sebastian Vettel has warned his Ferrari is in even better shape than when it won in Melbourne last year ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 season opener.

Ferrari has been tipped to finally threaten the dominance of Mercedes’ five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2019 after blistering times at recent testing in Spain.

And four-time world champion Vettel certainly didn’t talk down Ferrari’s chances on Thursday, saying he hoped to go from the hunter to the hunted after the Australian Grand Prix.

Asked if Ferrari was in a better position than this time last year, Vettel said: “Yeah. We got a bit lucky with the race last year …and grabbed the win.

“But there are no problems at this stage. Obviously you can’t do better than last year’s results but … the spirit is good.

“Hopefully going away from here we are in the position as the hunted, that’s the target.”

Stopping Hamilton and the Mercedes juggernaut is still easier said than done.

After Vettel got the early season jump last year, Hamilton swept all opposition aside with 11 wins and 11 poles to claim yet another world title.

Mercedes are now aiming to win six straight constructors’ championships, equalling Ferrari’s record run from 1999.

But Hamilton sounded wary of the Ferrari challenge, with Vettel this year teaming up with new co-driver Charles Leclerc, a highly touted young gun who replaced ex-world champ Kimi Raikkonen.

“It’s only over the first few races do you get an idea of where everybody stands,” Hamilton said.

“But when we said (at testing) we have some work to do we weren’t talking BS – we do have a lot of work to do (to catch Ferrari).

“But it’s a long season. It’s about finishing races, making sure you get as many points as you can – I am not one for needing to stamp their authority early.”

Practice starts at Albert Park on Friday.