Vettel "not bothered" about title advantage

Sebastian Vettel says that he is not really bothered about his championship lead which now sits at 25 points. The German won his third race of the season on Sunday, while rival Hamilton struggled to allow him to take a comfortable margin at the top.

It's the first time since 2013 that Vettel has led a world championship. The four-time world champion said that all the hard times they suffered in 2016 makes 2017 so much more special, and it makes him happy to see the team's commitment pay off.

"It's a long way [to go] so I'm not really bothered about that," he said. "It was more the fact to stand up there [on the podium] and see the team. We got a lot of hard times last year and this year everything seems to be upside down – but the team is the same, the people are the same so it's really clear to them.

"I guess in these small moments you just realise that it's a special group of people. If things go well, we'll work hand in hand, we must make sure we keep the momentum up in the next couple of races – but I think we're just having a great time." 

Next up on the calendar is Canada, a track that Vettel has won at once before - in his title-winning year of 2013. Ferrari had the opportunity to win it last year with Vettel but faltered under strategy, handing the win to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.

Fergal Walsh