Vettel discusses matching Schumacher with Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel says matching Michael Schumacher by winning a Formula 1 title with Ferrari does not provide him with extra motivation as he battles Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes in 2018. Vettel and Hamilton are pitched in battle for a fifth world drivers' title - which would leave the victor with only Schumacher ahead on seven crowns.

Vettel will hope to return to action at this week's Belgian Grand Prix in form as he tried to reel in Hamilton's 24-point standings lead in the final nine races of the year.

The German grew up idolising his compatriot Schumacher, who won five consecutive titles with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004.

Vettel took four in a row for Red Bull a decade later, and though he is desperate to seal title number five with Ferrari, he says Schumacher does not form part of the inspiration.

"Many times people confuse the fact I joined Ferrari as me trying to do something similar to Michael," he told F1's official website.

In the history of Scuderia Ferrari, Vettel is the only driver together with Schumacher to have scored at least :

10 wins
10 pole
10 fastest laps
40 Podium#Formula1 #F1 #SebastianVettel #Seb5 #MichaelSchumacher #ScuderiaFerrari #ForzaFerrari pic.twitter.com/NplQPpFZFA — Alvyn (@AlvynLouizz) August 15, 2018

"If we can go anywhere near what Michael achieved that would be a great success but times have changed and what lies behind us is not really what should drive us in the future."

Vettel arguably has the better car underneath him than Hamilton in 2018, but a string of errors have cost him thus far - most notably spinning out of the German Grand Prix from the lead, opening the door for the Briton to win.

"I don't need pity," Vettel said. "It was my fault.

"When everything goes well you are cheered, and if you make mistakes you are criticised. So I don't care much about what people say. I have to be at peace with myself."