Vettel: I want to win German GP... but I'm realistic

Sebastian Vettel says his hopes of victory at the German Grand Prix are tempered by his own realism, as Ferrari struggle to keep pace with Mercedes and face a renewed challenge from Red Bull.

Ferrari have only managed to hold a candle to Mercedes at a few races this year, Charles Leclerc took the fight in Bahrain and Austria, but fell short each time, while Vettel had victory taken from him in Canada by the stewards.

This weekend's German Grand Prix arrives with Vettel looking to atone for last year's slide into the gravel, which would signal his last stand atop the drivers' championship before Lewis Hamilton took over and romped to title number five.

Vettel's form as been in a tailspin for much of the time since, but he was largely unmoved when pushed on how much he wanted a win on home soil this weekend.

"Not badly. Obviously I want to win, but I'm realistic," Vettel said. "Coming here I don't feel we are the favourites but I feel we have a chance.

"We have a chance to do well. That's the objective. It's a special place for me. Close to where I'm from. Close to family and friends.

"To find a place to celebrate I won't have to go very far.

"First of all it is special to have the opportunity to race in your home country.

"Obviously, I was very close last year. Let's see how close we can get last year. I think we are in a less strong position (than last year) to start the weekend.

"Then again, in recent races we feel very strong, in qualifying and in race pace."

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