By Daily Sports on September 28, 2018
Formula One champions Mercedes have yet to be beaten in Russia, which hosts a grand prix for the fifth time this weekend, but Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel still sees nothing to fear in Sochi.
The German is 40 points adrift of Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton with six races remaining and is running out of time to reassert himself in the battle of the four times world champions.
Hamilton has plenty of momentum and has won twice in Russia, even if last year it was Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas who came out on top in a race run in late April rather than at the sharp end of the season.
Bottas, 110 points behind the Briton in the championship, may this year be required to play a 'wingman' role which would leave Vettel facing a fully focused foe in Hamilton, who has won four of the last five races.
Vettel did his best to stay positive after finishing third last time out in Singapore – around Ferrari were expected to win.
"Russia, I think, has been getting better the last years for us, so it should suit our car as well," the German told reporters.
"I don’t think we have any tracks to fear that are coming," he added.
"I think our car is working pretty much everywhere and that’s a strength of our car, so no need to be afraid of what’s coming."
Hamilton, who has been keeping the paparazzi busy since Singapore after being spotted holidaying in Dubai with rap queen Nicki Minaj, knows that he can deliver another hammer blow to his rival.
An eighth win of the season on Sunday would mean he can finish runner-up in every remaining race and still be champion, even if Vettel wins all five.
He and Mercedes also know how fast things can change, though, and will be taking nothing for granted.
"There are no easy wins this season. We have to fight hard for every bit of performance in order to have a chance to fight for victories," said team boss Toto Wolff.
"We have a good track record in Sochi but we know that Ferrari and Red Bull will give it everything to break our winning streak, so we must fight as hard as ever to make sure we bring home as many points as possible.
•Adapted from a Supersprts.com report. Photo shows Formular One Driver, Sebastian Vettel
Source Daily Sports
Posted September 28, 2018
You may also like...
NFF crisis: G.O.D think of our children and...
W/C 2022 Third Place Game: Morocco Chases History...
Presidential boost for Uganda Cranes
BREAKING: Nigeria draw Ireland 0-0, qualify for knock...
Manchester City deserved to win, says Ancelotti
Bayern win fifth consecutive German title

Fortune FA wins seventh JOF U-13 Cup
Okoronkwo makes injury return ahead WAFCON
Amusan downplays season pressure after Paris win
Morocco World Cup win sparks celebration, arrests in Netherlands
JOF Nigeria's Grassroots Vision Delivers Another Football Success Story As Fortune FA Claim U-13 Crown
Belgium thrash New Zealand 5-1, through to World Cup last 32
World Cup: Cape Verde to face Argentina in knockouts after Saudi draw
Lawal questions NFF ability to sustain Chelle’s $100k salary
Ogazi turns pro after landmark NCAA career
Davnotch pledge support for Tennis in Nigeria
Morocco break two Eagles’ Mundial records
Upsets as Prime Atlantic Squash tourney enters semis
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,931 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,264 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,178 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,784 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,668 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,539 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,429 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,950 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,161 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,628 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,108 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,501 views)