Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel dismisses concerns over mental state as errors begin to pile up

Sebastian Vettel has hit back at suggestions mental demons are to blame for the Formula One four-time world champion’s slump this season ahead of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Vettel has been eclipsed by Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, winner of the past two grands prix, while the German has continued to make a raft of errors — he has been responsible for nine in his past 28 races.

And seven-time grand prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya suggested the setbacks were a result of mental rather than any technical issues.

But Vettel denied this, saying: “I don’t think it’s mental, it’s not that I’m in the wrong place mentally.

"I think I’m doing the right things so that’s why I think it’s also crucial not to overcomplicate things too much and pull through it.

"I take it as what it is and it’s not great, but ultimately it’s not a disaster.”

The 32-year-old added: “I might not have the absolute trust in the car, but I think it’s improving, the understanding of the car.”