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Ferrari have had what is widely regarded as the
faster car for most of the season, yet Mercedes have started
nine races from pole position to the Italian team's six.
Hamilton has won eight times this season, and five of the last
six, while Vettel -- on five wins -- opened the campaign
strongly but has faded due in part to errors made by himself and
the team.
Ferrari’s dip in performance has left four-times world champion
Vettel 50 points behind Hamilton in the standings, but the
German said the team were still making progress despite their
disappointing recent results.
"I don’t think we lost direction," said Vettel at a damp and
drizzly Suzuka circuit in the build up to Sunday’s Japanese
Grand Prix.
"We made progress with our cars, the steps that we planned, the
steps have been coming."
With five races remaining, Hamilton does not need to register
another victory this season to claim a fifth world title.
Vettel, however, has a good record at Suzuka, where he has won
four times and wrapped up his second title there in 2011.
Despite the odds being stacked against him in the championship,
Vettel does not see Sunday’s race as a case of now or never.
"No, I think you attack every weekend," said the German.
"Every weekend is different, the track is different, the
circumstances are different.
"I’m very happy to be here. I love this track, it’s my favorite
track in the world, so I’d better enjoy it and not spoil it by
starting to count the things that are against me and focus on
the things that are working for me."
(Editing by Toby Davis)
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