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Vettel targets 2007 repeat

ESPNF1 Staff
October 21, 2010 « Ecclestone praises India F1 site | »
Sebastian Vettel remains upbeat about his title chances © Getty Images
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Sebastian Vettel says he is taking inspiration from Kimi Raikkonen's unlikely charge to the 2007 title as he targets a repeat performance this year.

Vettel is 14 points behind championship leader and team-mate Mark Webber in the drivers' standings, three points better off than Raikkonen was at the same stage. And the Red Bull driver believes there is no reason why he cannot emulate the Finn and snatch the title.

"What happened in 2007 happened for a reason and Kimi [Raikkonen] had quite a bad chance of winning the championship being 17 points behind, so of course he showed it is possible," said Vettel during Thursday's press conference. "He did his maximum, he won those races but it also required the others to not finish in the points or not high up so you cannot compare.

"With three races to go all of us are in a position to do so [win], some are better, some worse, but that is racing.

"I think it is normal to have ups and downs, sometimes more and sometimes less, but the expectation was to be in a position to fight for the championship and we are in a strong and good position, so far we have fulfilled our expectations."

Team-mate Webber, who has the destination of the title in his hands, says it is too early to start thinking about championship glory despite the margin of his lead.

"It's ridiculous to start calculating things because a lot of things can happen," said Webber. "If I win the next two races it is all over anyway.

"In terms of doing well, this is another event, another race here. I will keep doing what I am doing. The gap has been edging the right way in the last races, and I need to keep doing that. I just need to keep doing my best, and if I do the best the result will take care of itself."

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