Sebastian Vettel faces an uphill task
, ET Bureau|
Updated: Sep 30, 2017, 12.57 AM IST
Sebastian Vettel has won the Malaysian Grand Prix a record four times and on Sunday the German will desperately need to add a fifth triumph to that tally to revive his title hopes. The Ferrari driver's championship chances were dealt a harsh blow at the last race in Singapore after he crashed out on the opening lap. That paved the way for his Mercedes tit le rival Lewis Hamilton to win instead, which allowed the Briton to open a 28-point lead over Vettel in the overall standings.
“Obviously on Sunday all three of us were unhappy, but you move on,” Vettel, seated between Red Bull's Max Verstappen and teammate Kimi Raikkonen who were the other two drivers involved in the Singapore crash, told reporters on Thursday.
“I'm not too fussed about the amount of points. Obviously it's never good to be behind, I'd like to be in front but we're not so I'm not thinking about that.”
The points difference between Vettel and Hamilton is the biggest it has been in an otherwise hardfought season between the two title protagonists and leaves the German facing an uphill task. Only six of this season's 20 races remain and Vettel will have to win four of those to simply draw level with Hamilton, if the triple champion finishes second in them all.
If he triumphs on Sunday, with Vettel lower than second, Hamilton can afford not to win another race and still clinch a fourth title. Nevertheless, the Briton isn't taking his luck for granted with memories of last year's Malaysian race still fresh in his and the Mercedes team's mind.
Hamilton was forced to retire from a comfortable lead with a blown engine last year, just when he had been poised to jump back to the top of the overall standings.
The 25 points that retirement cost him proved crucial in deciding the title, with team-mate Nico Rosberg cruising to the title despite Hamilton fighting back with four wins from the next five races. “Honestly, I think it's going to be very close in the next races,” said the triple champion, who has won every race since the summer break, after scoring his 60th career victory in Singapore.
“We've just got to stay on our toes and keep trying to extract everything out of this car.”
Hamilton's caution was well founded as he ended the opening day of practice only sixth while his teammate Valtteri Bottas was seventh. Ferrari, meanwhile locked out the top of the timesheets with Vettel leading Raikkonen.
“The lap time is reality, the stopwatch always tells the truth,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “The lap time today showed that we are not quick enough.
“The car seems to be unbalanced and that triggers an awful lot of consequences and it was certainly one of the worst Fridays I can remember,” the Austrian said.
Red Bull could also be in the frame this weekend. The former champions cashed in on Hamilton's misfortune last year with Daniel Ricciardo leading Verstappen in a one-two.
The Australian finished second in Singapore and said it would take circumstances like wet weather for Red Bull to challenge for victory on merit again.
Rain is an ever-present threat in Malaysia and Verstappen duly topped Friday's wet opening practice session ahead of Ricciardo. “My victory last year in Malaysia was definitely unexpected,” said the Australian in the build-up to the weekend.
“It just goes to show you never know what can happen.” Sunday's race will also be Malaysia's last. The country has been a fixture on the calendar since 1999. But organisers, who originally had a contract to host the race until 2018, have decided to call time on it a year early due to declining ticket sales, viewership and tourism.
“Obviously on Sunday all three of us were unhappy, but you move on,” Vettel, seated between Red Bull's Max Verstappen and teammate Kimi Raikkonen who were the other two drivers involved in the Singapore crash, told reporters on Thursday.
“I'm not too fussed about the amount of points. Obviously it's never good to be behind, I'd like to be in front but we're not so I'm not thinking about that.”
The points difference between Vettel and Hamilton is the biggest it has been in an otherwise hardfought season between the two title protagonists and leaves the German facing an uphill task. Only six of this season's 20 races remain and Vettel will have to win four of those to simply draw level with Hamilton, if the triple champion finishes second in them all.
If he triumphs on Sunday, with Vettel lower than second, Hamilton can afford not to win another race and still clinch a fourth title. Nevertheless, the Briton isn't taking his luck for granted with memories of last year's Malaysian race still fresh in his and the Mercedes team's mind.
Hamilton was forced to retire from a comfortable lead with a blown engine last year, just when he had been poised to jump back to the top of the overall standings.
The 25 points that retirement cost him proved crucial in deciding the title, with team-mate Nico Rosberg cruising to the title despite Hamilton fighting back with four wins from the next five races. “Honestly, I think it's going to be very close in the next races,” said the triple champion, who has won every race since the summer break, after scoring his 60th career victory in Singapore.
“We've just got to stay on our toes and keep trying to extract everything out of this car.”
Hamilton's caution was well founded as he ended the opening day of practice only sixth while his teammate Valtteri Bottas was seventh. Ferrari, meanwhile locked out the top of the timesheets with Vettel leading Raikkonen.
“The lap time is reality, the stopwatch always tells the truth,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “The lap time today showed that we are not quick enough.
“The car seems to be unbalanced and that triggers an awful lot of consequences and it was certainly one of the worst Fridays I can remember,” the Austrian said.
Red Bull could also be in the frame this weekend. The former champions cashed in on Hamilton's misfortune last year with Daniel Ricciardo leading Verstappen in a one-two.
The Australian finished second in Singapore and said it would take circumstances like wet weather for Red Bull to challenge for victory on merit again.
Rain is an ever-present threat in Malaysia and Verstappen duly topped Friday's wet opening practice session ahead of Ricciardo. “My victory last year in Malaysia was definitely unexpected,” said the Australian in the build-up to the weekend.
“It just goes to show you never know what can happen.” Sunday's race will also be Malaysia's last. The country has been a fixture on the calendar since 1999. But organisers, who originally had a contract to host the race until 2018, have decided to call time on it a year early due to declining ticket sales, viewership and tourism.
