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Vettel still holding back on signing new Ferrari deal

Sebastian Vettel hasn't signed a new contract with Ferrari for 2018, but while he is in no hurry to commit he also doesn't see any reason not to.

Vettel is in his third year with the Scuderia and currently leads the world championship, enjoying his best chance of bringing the world title back to Maranello since he joined the Italian squad in 2015.

Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne recently said that the team had delivered a new contract to Vettel, and was now waiting for the German to put pen to paper.

"I am not in a rush," Vettel told the media yesterday in Hungary.

"I don't think the team is in a rush. I think I have a good contact to the team, I think they would tell me otherwise. There is no problem, nothing wrong."

Max Verstappen laughs off Vettel's complaints

Vettel has been linked to a move to Mercedes, but not for this year, rather for 2019, a prospect which may encourage the German to aim for a one-year extension at Ferrari.

Regardless of the outcome, Vettel says he is enjoying his time at the House of Maranello and the challenge of securing the world crown for the Scuderia, his principal focus currently rather than contract discussions.

"I am enjoying it, being part of the Ferrari family," said Vettel. "We are all focused and determined to get Ferrari back to where it belongs.

"That is our mission, our target and our goal and that is what we are working on.

"It is true I haven't got a contract yet, but the primary object is not to look at papers and worry about those, it is to make sure we get some good results."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.