Susie Wolff warns her husband: 'Vettel can still win it!'

Susie Wolff believes the world championship title fight is still 'open' and she expects a 'huge fight' for the remainder of the season.

Although Lewis Hamilton - with the help of racing's imponderables - dealt a huge blow to Vettel's title chances by winning in Japan while the Ferrari driver retired early, Wolff isn't ruling a turn-around by the German driver.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is probably less optimistic about Vettel's odds than his other half but he is advocating caution ahead of the US GP, and wants the Silver Arrows to remain focused on the immediate road ahead.

Hamilton won't take 'silly risks' to seal title

"Lewis is very relaxed this year, and you can see that he enjoys the fight with Ferrari," Susie Wolff told Sky Italia.

"In the last years he was always against his teammate, which is always difficult. He's in his best form now," added the former DTM driver.

But she also thinks Vettel can still push for the 2017 title, despite his and Ferrari's horror Asian tour through Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

"In my view Vettel was just unlucky," said Wolff.
"Ferrari has a very fast car and I can imagine the title race remaining open until the end. When you consider how far away Ferrari was last year, it's been a great turnaround.

"It's going to be very interesting because a couple of the circuits (coming up) are not Mercedes circuits, or will suit the Ferrari more," she added.

"It's not like last year where it's quite clear what is going to happen so I think we'll see a huge fight," said Susie.

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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.