Sebastian Vettel has urged Ferrari to provide him with a quicker car if he is to challenge Lewis Hamilton for the 2019 Formula 1 title.

Hopes were high that the German flyer would be able to compete with the defending champion this year as the Italians made a strong start to the campaign but it ended up being business as usual as Hamilton roared to a fifth drivers’ title.

Mercedes were the dominant force over the second half of the season, with Hamilton winning 11 grands prix to Vettel’s five and it looks set to be a battle between the two drivers for next year’s crown.

The four-time F1 champion is still hungry for more success and clearly irked that he has to play second fiddle to his Mercedes’ rival, but he feels success will only come if the team can up their game.

“I think we need a stronger package,” he told racer.com. “We certainly had our moments this year when we had strong races but we also had races which weren’t very strong.

“We weren’t quick enough, so I think overall it’s the speed that decides and I think more often than not I think we’re lacking a little bit of speed.”

Charles Leclerc will partner the former Red Bull man in the upcoming campaign and is priced at 9.00 to win the title while Vettel can be backed at 4.33 and Hamilton 1.75.

While Vettel has demanded more from Ferrari he was quick to praise the engineers for all they have done for him.

“I think we’re working very hard and the motivation is there to do that final step that is still outstanding,” he added.