Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas is aiming to pip Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel to second place in the final Drivers' Championship standings.

Bottas is currently third in the overall standings, 51 points behind championship leader and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, meaning his chances of claiming a maiden world title are looking slim.

The Finn does stand a more realistic chance of claiming second place in the overall standings as he is just 23 points behind Vettel after the Ferrari ace crashed out of last week's Singapore Grand Prix.

Bottas, who finished third at Marina Bay, believes he has every chance of surpassing Vettel, although he certainly is not underestimating the threat of the four-time world champion or Ferrari.

"I think that is definitely the next target for me – and, yes, it is possible," he said. "But we are not underestimating them [Ferrari]. For sure, they can still have strong weekends. Six races to go, there are still plenty of points to get, so it is a good target for me."

The 28-year-old will be hoping to close the gap on Vettel when Formula One resumes with the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 1.