Vettel: Next few races will prove 'really crucial' for Ferrari

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Sebastian Vettel says upcoming races will prove "really crucial" for Ferrari as the Italian outfit attempts to put itself in gear and catch up with arch-rival Mercedes.

Six races into its 2019 campaign, the Scuderia has yet to score a single win, its SF90 having failed to match the performance of Mercedes' dominant W10 despite its strong pre-season form.

Ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari's deficit to the Silver Arrow squad in the Constructors' standings sits at 118 points, while Vettel is 55 points adrift from Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' championship, a shortfall that already leaves team and driver with no margin for error.

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"The next races will be really crucial for us trying to get back to the front and give a much harder time to Mercedes," admitted Vettel.

"Once we can establish that, then we have plenty of reason to look forward."

While not obsessed with his team's points gap to Mercedes, Vettel knows that Ferrari will need to deliver a big result in the next few races to sustain its title ambitions.

"It will be crucial to do it sooner rather than later, but at the moment I'm not too fussed at looking at 'this is the date it has to happen'," added the German.

"Clearly we are behind, clearly there is quite a big margin between Mercedes and the rest, Mercedes and also ourselves, so we have to close that gap and get ahead, otherwise it will be difficult to turn it around."

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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.