Baku a painful 'standout' for Vettel in 2017

©WRI2

40

In a season of missed opportunities and mishaps, Sebastian Vettel says his ill-inspired move on Lewis Hamilton in Baku stand outs like a sore thumb.

A spate of engine issues in Malaysia and Japan crushed the Scuderia's title hopes, but last week Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne also singled out "driver error or misjudgment" as a partial cause for the Italian squad's agonizing defeat this season.

"I think it's fair enough," said Vettel, who accepted the blame.

"I think there are always things that you could do a bit different. Overall, I think we can all agree that we didn't have the season, up to this point, that we could've had or should've had for various reasons."

Carey responds to Ferrari's 'standardisation' fears

"I think looking back, Baku stands out obviously, but for the rest I think it's been okay."

Looking ahead at the penultimate round of the world championship in Brazil this weekend, Vettel believes in Ferrari's chances of ending the season on a high.

"I'm part of the team so I think we all live through the season together, and the same is for the next two races," he said.

"The morale is good, the guys have had a very tough time in the last couple of weekends with a lot of big changes, set-up changes and long nights etc..

"So we hope for two calm weekends to finish the season and not calm in terms of results, we are aiming for the maximum."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.