The Maranello squad suffered a double retirement in Mexico, the first time both Vettel and teammate Kimi Raikkonen had failed to score this season.

"[Mexico] was probably the worst race we've had this year, but we've got had a lot of good races and this season we have been gradually closing the gap," said Vettel during a visit to the Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Mugello.

"The pace on Saturday was very promising, but obviously we were not in the right position. The next few races we promise to give it everything, and the target is to be as close as possible and ideally in front."

Despite his torrid weekend in Mexico, Vettel insists Ferrari continues to close the gap on Mercedes.

Although he concedes beating the German squad will be difficult, the four-time champion believes the Maranello team can still aim to finish on top in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

"There are two races to go, and two more wins we can potentially get, so this is our aim, even though it won't be easy," he said.

"The team has done an incredible job across the season to close the gap; eight or nine months ago the gap was something like 1.3 or 1.4 seconds [off the pace].

"Now it's half a second or less, so we've been doing the right things."

Interview by Jamie Klein