Sebastian Vettel believes Red Bull can be the seco🎃nd quickest team at Suzuka but says Mercedes' pace looks ominous ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were over a second clear of the rest of the field in FP2, with Valtteri Bottas and Jenson Button in third and fourth ahead of Vettel. While Vettel is sure Red Bull can 🤪improve, he thi☂nks third is as high as it can realistically aim.

"I think we can definitely do better than fifth, but we've 𒅌pro😼bably hit the limiter in third position!" Vettel said. "Mercedes seems to be very, very quick around here but I think we can improve, especially on the short run."

And Vettel also believes McLaren has made a step to ensure there are a group of ♑four teams fighting for best of the rest.

"It would be nice to fight [Merce🙈des], who knows if it rains? But other than that I think it's the usual suspects so Williams, McLaren seems to be a bi♛t stronger here and Ferrari."

Focusing on where his car can improve, Vettel said Red Bull needs to work on findಞing a betterﷺ balance ahead of qualifying.

"Obviously the last couple of years we were in a bit better shape after the Friday, so we're not yet where we want to be. The balance of the c♏ar we can improve, so we need to work on that - especially on a short run - and🐷 then see what the weather does tomorrow and Sunday."