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Sebastian Vettel believes that it is right to label Lewis Hamilton as the favourite to win the drivers' championship in 2018. Hamilton enters the year on the back of winning his fourth title last season, continuing Mercedes domination of winning championships.
Despite the Silver Arrows running away with the championship from 2014 to 2016, it faced a challenge last year when Ferrari stepped up in an attempt to dethrone them. Vettel contested with Hamilton for the title but missed out after the Maranello outfit suffered from a number of issues in the back leg of the season.
Ferrari's long-run pace at pre-seaosn testing two weeks ago appeared to indicate that they were half a second down on Mercedes. However, Vettel is optimistic that the team will fight once again but knows that rival Hamilton is the favourite for the title.
"I think it's right to put Lewis as the favourite for this year, but it's a long season," said Vettel. "I think our car is great, there is stuff to come so plenty to look forward to. "We are in good shape, we could be in better shape, but it's always like that."
"I have a lot on my plate and I'm also happy to look forward to what's right in front of me, so it's not on my mind now. We all know many things need to come together to be able to fight for the championship towards the end of the season and then to win it.
"I'm not setting these things out or looking forward to what could possibly happen. If it would happen it would mean a lot and then I think you'd start to realise [what's been achieved]. Now, I am searching for the ultimate satisfaction which is to win with Ferrari who are the greatest team in history and the greatest team in the paddock. That is my ultimate target now."
Fergal Walsh
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