FERRARI GET SET TO ‘CHALLENGE THE IMPOSSIBLE’

NEW YORK : Ferrari are ready to “challenge the impossible” with Lewis Hamilton on the brink of a fifth Formula One title at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.

Hamilton has won six of the last seven races to open up a 67-point advantage over Sebastian Vettel in the drivers’ standings and put himself on the verge of retaining his crown.

If the Mercedes driver triumphs in Austin and Vettel finishes third or worse, the Briton will match Juan Manuel Fangio’s haul of titles and stand two away from drawing level with all-time great Michael Schumacher.

GAME FOR FIGHT

However, Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene is unwilling to down tools in the face of Mercedes topping the standings for drivers and constructors for the fifth straight season.

“I know that the situation looks impossible, but our job sometimes is to challenge the impossible. This is what we’re going to try to do,” Arrivabene told Sky Sports.

“We win and we lose together.” Vettel finished sixth behind team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in Japan last time out and Ferrari need a much-improved display to keep the title race alive until the following grand prix in Mexico.

Sauber driver Charles Leclerc could be forgiven for already looking forward to next season, when he will be in the red of Ferrari. However, he is under no illusions about the expectations he anticipates being placed upon him.

“If I’m not good enough next year, I should be dropped by Ferrari and this would be completely understandable for me,” Leclerc told the Beyond the Grid podcast.