Vettel hopes to end slump

Sebastian Vettel needs a return to form at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, the night race where his Formula One championship challenge started crumbling last year.

Vettel was perfectly poised to regain the overall lead from Lewis Hamilton at the Marina Bay street circuit last year, but caused a multicar crash from pole position and spiraled out of the race. Hamilton avoided the first-lap chaos and, despite starting fifth, went on to win.

The crash affected Vettel’s momentum badly. Hamilton won two of the next three races and eventually sealed the title by a comfortable 46 points.

Unless Vettel finds a way to respond, it could be deja vu for the German driver as he already trails Hamilton by 30 points heading into Sunday’s race. Hamilton has won three of the past four races and outscored Vettel 93-55 during that span.

Considering Hamilton has won six races to Vettel’s five this year, the margin between them should be much closer. But, just like in 2017, Vettel has been throwing away points and his composure is again being called into question.

The slump started when the Ferrari driver crashed in the rain while leading the German GP , in July then botched qualifying — again in the rain — at Hungary despite being faster than Hamilton’s Mercedes.

Although he beat Hamilton at the Belgian GP, after Hamilton took pole, familiar problems resurfaced for Vettel and Ferrari at the Italian GP two weeks ago.

Ferrari secured a front row 1-2, with Hamilton third, but Vettel was unhappy with his team because Kimi Raikkonen was on pole in Monza. Then, Raikkonen held his ground at the start and didn’t let Vettel past, even though Vettel is much better placed for a title push. /