Vettel not giving up: 'I still have a mission here'

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Sebastian Vettel has vowed to keep on fighting for a world title with Ferrari, insisting he remains a man on a mission despite another unsatisfactory conclusion to his season with the Scuderia.

It's been a story of missed opportunities for the German driver and Ferrari in the past couple of seasons, the pair displaying solid strength in the first half the year only for their title bid to crumble after the summer, two years in succession.

"I still have a mission here and I still want to win -- that hasn't changed," he said ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

"Obviously the last race was a tough one to swallow and probably the winter will be as well, but giving up is not an option."

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A four-time world champion - with all his titles won between 2010 and 2013 with Red Bull - Vettel will finish runner-up in the drivers' standings for the third time in his career.

"I have been three times in a position like that in '17, '09 and this year," he remembers.

"Probably '09 [when Brawn GP's Jenson Button was crowned champion] was the worst one and the lowest point. You never know what the next year brings and whether you get another chance.

"Obviously I worked very hard for it and I'm confident it will come but you can't predict. None of those moments were nice."

While the drivers' title is done and dusted, the Constructors' championship has yet to be decided, with Ferrari trailing Mercedes by 55 points before the Brazilian Grand Prix.

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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.