F1: Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari won’t give up the title fight

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has no plans to give up on the Formula 1 championship despite Lewis Hamilton’s 40-point lead in the drivers’ standings.

Mercedes driver Hamilton has won four of the previous five races including last weekend’s race in Singapore and Italy’s on 2 September.

Next up is the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi on 30 September followed by the final five races in Japan, the US, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Mercedes go to Russia having won all four editions.

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Despite slipping further behind in the title race, Vettel says Ferrari have nothing to fear at the upcoming circuits. He told F1.com: “Obviously, there is still a long way to go and a lot of points to score. I never believed that we had the fastest car by a big margin, as people said. I know that we have a very good car.

“Russia has been getting better for us in the last few years, so it should suit our car as well... Our car is working pretty much everywhere and that’s a strength... so [there’s] no need to be afraid of what’s coming.”

Hamilton is focused on beating Ferrari

Meanwhile Hamilton believes Mercedes are becoming more confident and must continue their fine form in the title battle against Ferrari.

He told Sky Sports: “We have often outperformed a car that’s slightly better and we’ve outperformed them as a team. We need to keep doing that.

“We are going from strength to strength as a team, our understanding of the car and how we utilise the tools that we have. We’re far more comfortable at our job right now than we were.

“Six races ago we were definitely struggling in this area and still trying to find the little bit of magic.”

F1 races remaining in 2018

• 30 September: Russian Grand Prix, Sochi
• 7 October: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
• 21 October: United States Grand Prix, Austin
• 28 October: Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City
• 11 November: Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo
• 25 November: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina