Reuters: Ferrari should be able to make “a good step forward” next season after establishing themselves as the closest challengers to Formula One champions Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel said on Thursday.

The four-times world champion, who joined Ferrari from Red Bull at the end of last year, has won three races in 2015, the only non-Mercedes driver to stand on top of the podium in 17 rounds so far.

“It’s always difficult to predict what’s going to happen but surely it is our target,” the German told reporters at the Brazilian Grand Prix when asked whether Ferrari could take the fight to Mercedes in 2016.

“I can see what’s happening in the background, the work that has gone into this year, the work that is going into next year back in the factory, back in Maranello with all the people,” he added.

“So it looks promising and I think we should be able to make a good step forward.”

Ferrari have not won a drivers’ world championship since 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen succeeded against the odds, and failed to win a race last year.

They have closed the gap in engine performance this season, however, despite Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton retaining both their titles.

Niki Lauda, Mercedes’ non-executive chairman and a triple world champion, said recently that the Italian team could match them for power but not in terms of chassis or aerodynamics.

“Well, as a fact we are not yet a match otherwise this season would have been very different,” said Vettel, who crashed out of the previous race in Mexico that was dominated by Mercedes, when asked about the Austrian’s words.

“But I’m very happy, as I said, with the season so far, with the progress we’ve made and also with the things that I think we have in the pipeline for the future.

“Niki is usually not the best one to trust, let’s put it this way, he’s changing his opinion very quickly and sometimes what he says makes sense and other times it doesn’t make any sense,” continued the German.

“The more he’s talking about us the better it is for us because he can feel that maybe we’re coming so hopefully that’s good news.”

Vettel said his target for the remaining two races of the season was to beat compatriot Nico Rosberg to second place overall and split the Mercedes drivers.

Hamilton owns up to car accident in Monaco

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed he was involved in a car accident in Monaco on Monday and said he wanted to take responsibility for the incident to prevent people from making a “quick buck” out of it.

Hamilton delayed his flight to Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix by a day this week, with his Mercedes team saying he was unwell.

The 30-year-old Briton posted a picture of himself seated on a plane on his Instagram account late on Wednesday and said no-one was hurt in the accident.

“Dear TeamLH, just wanted to let you know why things have been quiet on social media the past few days,” Hamilton said in the post. “I’ve not been well with a fever but I also had a road accident in Monaco on Monday night. “Whilst ultimately, it is nobody’s business, there are people knowing my position that will try to take advantage of the situation and make a quick buck. “NO problem. Nobody was hurt, which is the most important thing.

“But the car was obviously damaged and I made very light contact with a stationary vehicle.” Hamilton said he had decided to rest at home and leave a day later than scheduled after consulting with his team and doctor.

“But I am feeling better and am currently boarding the plane to Brazil,” he added.

“However, I am informing you because I feel we all must take responsibility for our actions. Mistakes happen to us all but what’s important is that we learn from them and grow. Can’t wait for the weekend Brazil.”

Hamilton clinched his third world title in Texas last month with three races to spare but has a patchy record behind the wheel when away from the race track.

He was banned from driving in France in 2007 and had his car impounded after being caught driving at 40 miles per hour above the speed-limit on a motorway northeast of Paris.