Sebastian Vettel believes he can still claim the Drivers’ Championship but he admits it will be nearly “impossible” to overhaul current leader Lewis Hamilton.

Vettel took maximum points in his Ferrari in Singapore on Sunday on a difficult day for Mercedes, as Hamilton was forced to retire for the first time this season and Nico Rosberg came in fourth.

Hamilton saw his lead over Vettel cut to 49 points as a result of his retirement, with Rosberg now 41 adrift of his team-mate.

The four-time world champion thinks claiming the title this year will be a huge task given Hamilton’s lead with just six races and 150 points remaining but he hasn’t ruled out a late charge for silverware.

“If we have more weekends like this yes. We have to look at ourselves, can’t control them [Mercedes],” Vettel said when asked if he could still claim the title.

“We will give it everything, maximum attack and try to make the impossible possible.”

He added: “I’m surprised they weren’t on top of their game, I don’t think anyone can give you an answer. Even them.

“But they have to be the favourites going into Suzuka [next weekend]. If that is the turn of the page I wouldn’t mind, but we can’t expect that because they have a very competitive package.”

Hamilton had been in fourth place when he was forced to retire due to engine problems having started the race from fifth.

Ferrari managed to get both drivers on the podium as Kimi Raikkonen came in third, with Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull finishing second.