Defending drivers world champion Sebastian Vettel was in a rare - for 2014 - upbeat mood on Friday after clocking the seventh best time in second free practice for the Italian Grand Prix.
The four-time champion said he felt his Red Bull was improving noticeably and that the team had taken another 'step forward' in their pursuit of the pace-setting Mercedes team.
World championship leader Nico Rosberg of Germany was fastest in the afternoon session ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Briton Lewis Hamilton and the two Ferraris.
"Today was a good day for us in terms of laps that we could do and stuff that we could test," said Vettel.
"It's always important to get the Friday right to build onto for the rest of the weekend. I felt a bit happier than previously.
"It was very slippery, obviously, and these cars are very low on grip. It's normal, plus the fact you have minimum downforce in Monza, which usually makes things quite interesting.
"It was quite a good day for us, we didn't have any big problems, but there are issues with the car so we could do a little better."
Vettel has a soft spot for the famous old circuit because it was the scene of his maiden victory in a rain soaked 2008 Italian Grand Prix when he delivered victory for Toro Rosso.
Source: AFP
