2018 F1 Singapore Grand Prix
Vettel: I am my own worst enemy
Sebastian Vettel goes into this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix 30 points behind world champion Lewis Hamilton at the top of the Formula 1 drivers’ standings.
Despite the points deficit, Vettel remains confident of chasing down Hamilton - but admits it’s not the Mercedes driver’s form that is hindering his title chances.
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Ferrari ace Vettel finished fourth at Monza, following a first-lap collision with Hamilton in the Italian GP, and also made some “uncharacteristic mistakes” in Azerbaijan, France and Germany, F1.com reports.
Asked about his lapses, the four-time world champion said: “I think it is pretty straightforward for me. I think the biggest enemy is me. We have a great car, I have something to play with and we have all the chances to do it in our way.
“Obviously, Lewis is the leader at the moment, he’s the one ahead and he is the one to beat, but I think we have all the chances - and how much they could be better by now and so on is a different question.”
Hamilton focused on F1 title not fashion
Meanwhile, Hamilton has insisted he is always thinking about racing, despite being accused of spending too much time on his outside interests.
Since winning at Monza on 2 September, the British driver has been busy launching his new fashion line with Tommy Hilfiger.
However, The Guardian reports that Hamilton was “emphatic he had not sacrificed any attention to the day job”.
He said: “From experience I’ve been able to move around even more than I have these past two weeks and still arrive and be able to switch into race mode.
“There’s not a single moment during those two weeks that I’m not thinking about racing, not thinking about the championship, how I want to arrive.”
Has Lewis upset Lando?
Speaking at the pre-race press conference in Singapore, Hamilton was asked for his thoughts on McLaren naming British teenager Lando Norris as one of their drivers next season.
The Times’ Rebecca Clancy wanted to know whether the F1 world champion had any tips for the fellow Brit.
Hamilton replied: “I wouldn’t give him advice. Obviously, if he asked for it, he could get it if he wanted. If I’m really honest, I don’t really look at nationalities. I don’t look down the order and think, ‘there’s another Brit’, or ‘there’s another German’, or anything like that.
“I just… that’s not something that really appeals to me. England’s always producing good drivers. They have them, there’s quite a lot of them. It’s not like Formula 1’s never going to have a British driver, so… yeah, wish him all the best.”
Reacting to a Sky Sports report on Twitter, 18-year-old Norris replied with a single “crying face emoji”.
