Singapore: Sebastian Vettel has said that he believes Ferrari are their own worst enemy in the Formula One (F1) title race but is confident he can overhaul championship leader Lewis Hamilton in the seven remaining races if he and the team avoid making any major mistakes.
The 31-year-old German fell 30 points behind race-winner Hamilton after a collision with the Briton left him struggling to finish fourth in Monza (Italian Grand Prix) last time out, one of several races where Vettel has frittered away a position of authority.
“I think my biggest enemy is me,” the quadruple World Champion told reporters ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
“We have a great car and have all the chances to do it in our way. Obviously, Lewis is the leader, he’s ahead but we still have a very good chance and I feel it is still ours to lose. As long as we look after ourselves, we have a chance to win races and if we do that, then things look good,” added the German.
Vettel is the most successful driver here, having won four times around the floodlit Marina Bay Street Circuit since it entered F1 in 2008, so the German is naturally delighted to be back at one of his favourite haunts.
“I like coming here, I like the track. It’s the toughest race we have all year, mentally and physically for various reasons. You never quite feel ready for it but are happy once it starts and I am looking forward to it,” informed Vettel. “I am not saying this is my race to win, but certainly I am looking forward to it.”
Vettel also heaped praise on teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who has partnered the German since the start of 2015 but is heading to Sauber next year.
“Kimi has been my best teammate. For me the most important thing is the respect you have for each other and the degree of bullshit going on between each other,” Vettel pointed out.
“With Kimi, it has been zero from the start and that will not change until the end. It will be sad to see that Kimi is not there anymore. We get along very well, despite being very different personalities,” added Vettel.