Win or lose, Lewis Hamilton’s enthusiasm for a Formula One World Championship battle with both Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari have remained high.
On both occasions that Vettel has taken the chequered flag first in 2017 and following both occasions that Hamilton has taken the win the British driver has been quick to emphasise just how much he is enjoying this battle.
Not since his first Formula One title in 2008 has Hamilton had competition from an opposition team.
In his rookie season the main rivalry was with McLaren team-team Fernando Alonso, that rivalry was so fierce that in the end it handed the title to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.
In 2008, Hamilton pipped Ferrari’s Felipe Massa to the title, but in 2014 and 2015 it was a Mercedes inter-team battle with former team-mate Nico Rosberg.
That rivalry was not something that Hamilton particularly enjoyed, but a battle with four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari appears to really be pushing Hamilton on.
Speaking after his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton told motorsport.com: ?It was just the rawest fight I can remember having for some time, which I loved. This is what the sport needs to be every single race and this is why I race, what got me into racing.
?To have those close battles with him, a four-time champion, is awesome.
He added: ‘it was how racing should be ? I love it, I wouldn?t change it for the world.?
In an interview with Sky Sports, Hamilton once again took the opportunity to talk up his budding new rivalry.
‘It’s definitely one of the favourite, if not the favourite, battles I am having, Having a battle and a fight with another team is so much more enjoyable and nicer because there is no tension within our team.’
‘In the last race when Valtteri won, there wasn’t an ounce of feeling in my heart of ‘dammit, he won’, He did a great job and [Sunday] Valtteri played a great role as a team-mate. He played an important role and it was a full team effort. We’re fighting another team and it’s a completely different feeling.’
Share this article
Related Articles
