Vettel rejects retirement talk - feels 'at the top' of his game

Sebastian Vettel likely won't be walking away from Formula 1 at the end of the season, the Ferrari driver feeling he is currently at the top of his game.

Vettel is contracted to the Scuderia until the end of 2020 but a seemingly uneasy situation at Ferrari opposite team mate Charles Leclerc and widespread criticism of his performance from the Italian media could unsettle the German this season.

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Also, Bernie Ecclestone, a close friend of Vettel, recently said that he wouldn't be surprised if the four-time world champion called it a day at the end of the current season.

“I’m not going to be in Formula 1 as long as he was, that’s for sure, but I hope I’m going to be as fit and as sharp as he is today when I’m hopefully that old," said Vettel, responding to Mr. E's comments.

"I don’t know, to be honest. At the moment I feel on top of my game, I feel that I know what I’m doing. I’m very very self-critical, very ambitious and I put a lot of expectation on to myself."

©Ferrari

Last year, Vettel appeared well-placed to challenge Lewis Hamilton for the title until a string of mistakes wreaked havoc on his chances.

So far this season, Ferrari's results haven't lived up to pre-season expectations when the Italian outfit's 2019 contender was the class of the field.

However, last year's disappointments and this season's muted start haven't eroded Vettel's 'need for speed'.

"I love driving, I love the sensation of the speed, I love fighting with these guys so there’s a lot of things that at the moment I really like and I’ll miss so that’s why it’s not an option to quit tomorrow, I’m quite happy to race," he said.

"And then, yeah, I’ve got the contract but that’s a piece of paper and then we see what happens."

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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.