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F1's Sebastian Vettel says mistakes happen but he's not making too many

SPIELBERG, Austria — Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel has hit back at suggestions he has been making too many mistakes to win this year's Formula One championship. The German, a four-time world champion like Lewis Hamilton, was penalized at last weekend's French Grand Prix for colliding with his Mercedes rival's Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas at the start. Vettel ended up fifth after coming back through the field. That left Vettel 14 points behind Hamilton after eight races, with both title contenders on three wins each and the German having started half the races from pole position. "It's racing. There are some errors you shouldn't do, some errors that happen. It depends on the type of error," Vettel, in good spirits, told reporters ahead of Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. "I've had a lot of races. It happens, unfortunately, at times. I try to minimize it, but I'm not worried. I don't think there is something fundamentally wrong," he added. "I think we know what we are doing — I hope I know what I'm doing most of the time, so I should be fine." The German lost places in Azerbaijan in April, when he started on pole but finished fourth, after he made a bid for the lead, locked up and ran wide following a safety car re-start. In China, a collision with Red Bull's Max Verstappen dropped him down the order, after the pre-race favorite had initially made a good start from pole. Hamilton has meanwhile gone 33 successive races in the points, and his off days have been less costly than the Ferrari driver's. "It's a long way to go, and it's normal some things happen along the way," said Vettel. "Obviously you are trying to push the limits. It didn't cross my mind when I was in Baku to just stay behind, surrender, and maybe wave another person past, just to collect some points," he added. "That's not how I define racing. I tried to go for the gap, I went for it, it was there, and I didn't make it. It didn't work. Sometimes it works out, and it's great. Sometimes it doesn't." Reporting by Alan Baldwin

One-of-a-kind aluminum Ferrari Daytona barn find to be auctioned

Every gearhead loves a good barn find, and this one will probably go down as one of the best. The car in question is a 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, which is a special-enough car for its gorgeous looks, impressive performance and appearance in Miami Vice. But this one is extra-special because it's a one-of-a-kind; the only aluminum-bodied Daytona built for street use. It's the latter part of that description that makes it unique. Ferrari did build a few other aluminum Daytonas, but those five cars, according to RM Sotheby's, were built specifically for racing. This one was just a normal street-ready Daytona painted in red with a black leather interior. It was sold to the founder of an Italian automotive magazine, and it changed hands within the country a few times. In 1971, it was imported to Japan where it was driven and enjoyed until its last owner parked it in 1980, where it sat until this year. RM Sotheby's will auction the car at a special Ferrari auction in Maranello on Sept. 9, 2017, where it will be sold alongside a new LaFerrari Aperta. The car will be sold in the condition you see above. The odometer reads 36,390 kilometers (about 22,611 miles), and it's believed the number is accurate. A Ferrari specialist also confirmed that the body, chassis and powertrain all match. The pictures show that the car also includes a comprehensive tool kit that includes a lead hammer for removing/attaching the knock-off wheel nuts. RM Sotheby's expects this car to sell for between ˆ1.4 million and ˆ1.7 million, which is about $1.66 million to $2.02 million at current exchange rates. Of course if the buyer wants to fully restore this car as opposed to simply preserving it, the owner could be looking at some hefty costs to bring it back to like-new condition. Related Video: Featured Gallery 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta Alloy View 25 Photos Image Credit: RM Sotheby's Ferrari Auctions Coupe Performance Classics RM Sotheby's barn find ferrari 365 gtb4 daytona

Marchionne could become Ferrari CEO

Don't think that just because FCA is spinning off Ferrari into a separate company that Sergio Marchionne is giving up any control. Not only is he already chairman of the Prancing Horse, but he might also become its next CEO after Amedeo Felisa steps down, anonymous insiders claim according to Automotive News Europe. The dual roles would put the sportscar brand's future in Marchionne's hands, while he continues to run FCA. Rumors of Felisa stepping down emerged in July, but Ferrari never made an official announcement. The reports suggested that he could leave in September. Execs at the Prancing Horse are now working to decide on a replacement, but there's nothing official in place yet, according to Automotive News Europe. Felisa might maintain an advisory role after retiring, as well. If Marchionne takes charge, the move would come just as Ferrari becomes a newly independent entity. The Prancing Horse's necessary paperwork is already filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and the IPO is expected in October. Marchionne took over as Ferrari's chairman last year after Luca di Montezemolo's resignation. As boss, he intends to increase production to 10,000 units a year from 7,000 annually under Montezemolo. Among the projects in development is a revived Dino. Related Video: