Vettel: Schumacher's records "far away"

Sebastian Vettel says he is not even thinking about trying to equal Michael Schumacher's record of 91 career wins, after taking his 42nd in Singapore last weekend, putting him third on the all-time list. 

By winning at the Marina Bay Circuit on Sunday, Vettel surpassed Ayrton Senna's career win tally and now trails only Alain Prost on 51 and of course Schumacher – statistically the most successful driver Formula 1 has ever seen. 

Asked if he can see himself beating both of those people in time, Vettel replied: “I think I could consider myself the luckiest racing driver in the world if there were as many race wins to come as there was with Michael. 

“I think, to be honest, Prost's is in sight somehow. I'm 28 so I'm not the youngest any more especially if the kids start racing at 17 now. 

"But Michael's is just ridiculous: number of wins, number of poles, number of fastest laps. I think all the statistics you can go for you compare yourself to him or anyone to him, so I think that's far away. 

“So if you have 23 corners in Singapore, I consider myself being in turn one and Michael in turn 23. I'm not really looking at that. I'm having a great time. I think I can consider myself very lucky and blessed the way things have turned out. 

"I've always had a more or less competitive car, competitive team, so if it keeps going that way then I can consider myself very lucky.” 

Vettel's victory in Singapore, his third since moving to Ferrari this year, also saw him match what Schumacher achieved in terms of wins in his debut season with the Scuderia in 1996. However, Vettel said such a comparison is not really valid. 

“I don't think you can really draw that comparison,” he confirmed, “and in all fairness, I think the car he had in 1996 was a lot worse than what we have this year which shows again what a great racing driver he was.” 

Meanwhile, Vettel also warned that while Ferrari is getting better and better, the future is not something you can exactly foretell. 

“It's impossible to predict the future. I think we are now on a good track with the team, Kimi [Raikkonen] and myself, so I think we've got some years ahead of us which we can enjoy. In a way you can forget the statistics, I think the most important thing is the sheer fun in life and get paid for it, that's a great thing,” concluded the four-time F1 world champion. 

Singapore track invader could face six months in prison

A 27-year-old British national has been charged with committing a 'rash act' that endangered safety after he invaded the Singapore Grand Prix circuit during Sunday's race.

Singapore's Strait Times reports that Yogvitam Pravin Dhokia appeared in court on Tuesday, charged with interrupting a national event, which resulted in the deployment of the Safety Car so Mr Dhokia could be safely removed.

It's reported that bail was set at S$15,000 (£6,800), which Mr Dhokia couldn't pay and was therefore remanded in custody whilst investigations continue. His passport has been impounded and a second hearing is set for October 6th.

He could be sentenced to six months in prison and face further fines of S$2,500 (£1,140).

Singapore race organisers could also face sanctions after photos showed marshal posts unattended, allowing easy access to the circuit.

Race winner Sebastian Vettel, who was the first driver to come across the track invader, said he had to look twice as he couldn't believe what he had seen.

"I had to look again because I wasn’t sure whether I had a problem with my eyesight or I saw somebody crossing the track," he joked.

"I went on the radio and said ‘some guy’s running across the track!’ I think I saw him taking a picture. I don’t know. I hope it was a good one at least. I hope it was in focus!"

Ferrari should give engines to Red Bull

Cesare Fiorio, the former Ferrari team boss, says that if he was still running the Maranello marque, he would supply engines to Red Bull. As it is splitting with Renault, the former quadruple world champions have warned that unless Ferrari agrees to release a supply of power units for 2016, Red Bull and also Toro Rosso could be left without horse power for 2016.

"I would give them engines," Fiorio, who led Maranello in the Alain Prost era, told Rai Radio 1.

"Why? If for no other reason than to not have Red Bull-Mercedes as an opponent. With Red Bull on your side, at least Ferrari would benefit from their findings," he added.

Jenson Button: 'Joy' for Formula One has gone

Jenson Button has admitted the "joy" of competing in Formula One is no longer there amidst mounting speculation he is set to announce his retirement in Japan.

Several British media outlets are reporting that Button will call time on his 16-year career in F1 at Suzuka this weekend after McLaren's troublesome first season with Honda. McLaren has an option on Button's contract for next season which expires at the end of September but the decision may well be out of the team's hands. 

Button and team-mate Fernando Alonso have endured a frustrating season with Honda's uncompetitive and unreliable power unit and there is little sign a quick step forward is on the horizon. After another retirement in Singapore Button's demeanour suggested he had lost motivation to carry on beyond the end of the current season.

"My head knows but my mouth and tongue doesn't know," Button said. "The joy of being in the car is only there if you're fighting at the front, because you feel like you're achieving something.

"If you're fighting near the back, you're driving an F1 car, but you can easily get joy driving something else. The joy you get is from competing. It's about fighting at the front. It's about the possibility of standing on top of the podium. That's the joy of F1."

Button considers the Japanese Grand Prix to be a second home race due to his marriage to Jessica Michibata. It is an especially important weekend for McLaren given its new partnership with Japanese manufacturer Honda, meaning there will be increased media attention on the team.

The 2009 world champion hinted that a decision has already been made, though discussions will continue through to Suzuka this weekend.

"I have made that decision, that's the important thing. It is always nice to make an announcement when you are at your home grand prix, but I don't know what's happening yet.

"There are a lot of meetings in Japan, Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier will be there. I'm sure there will be a lot of meetings at the headquarters."