Vettel wants Ferrari to improve in one key area in the future

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A productive Sunday starts with a good performance in qualifying, says Sebastian Vettel, and that's where he feels Ferrari needs to improve in the future.

Since locking out the front row in Monza last month, Ferrari has been comfortably outpaced by Mercedes in the all-important Saturday afternoon sessions, with a tactical error in Japan leaving Vettel a lowly P8 on the grid, a performance that undoubtedly contributed to a problematic Sunday in Suzuka.

"It happens sometimes that when something goes wrong on Saturday you might pay the price on Sunday," Vettel said.

"Otherwise, if you do something wrong on Saturday it doesn’t matter on Sunday.

"Unfortunately from our point of view whatever we missed on Saturday was quite painful the day after so it’s like this and we then need to focus on the Saturday, but what’s behind us we can’t change any more.

Briatore: 'Vettel mistakes prove he is his biggest enemy'

Vettel and the Scuderi'a under-performance in the last three races coupled with the dominance of arch-rival Lewis Hamilton has left him 67 points adrift from the Brit in the championship, with just four races to go.

The chances of Vettel overhauling Hamilton in the drivers' standings are remote, but there are lessons to be learnt for the future.

"There are things that we have to do better in the future, but we can’t go back and change them, so I think we look forward and make sure we get the next Saturdays right in order to get better Sundays."

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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.