Mutual admiration keeps Hamilton, Vettel on track
SAKHIR, Bahrain — Lewis Hamilton goes into this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix determined to build momentum in his bid for a fourth world title and to keep his battle with Sebastian Vettel as friendly as possible.
After three highly competitive and often acrimonious years competing with nowretired 2016 champion and former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, Hamilton is relishing a different kind of challenge this year.
Instead of fighting his Mercedes partner, newly recruited Valtteri Bottas, he’s in a scrap for glory with four-time champion Vettel of Ferrari.
“We are working so hard and so is Ferrari,” said Hamilton, fresh from his victory in last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
“I am expecting a very tough weekend in Bahrain, where they are likely to be even stronger than in China because their car works, in general, better in hot conditions than cold.
“We made the most of our chance last weekend and we have to work hard to try to stay in front this time.”
Vettel has been just as generous as Hamilton in heaping praise on his rival, and the pair have so far served up one win each amid much mutual back-slapping and respect.
“You have to take any advantage you can get,” Hamilton said ahead of Sunday’s floodlit night race in Sakhir, where he will be seeking his third win at the track in four years.
“That is why we are doing so much now, working so hard. It is so important early on, as I learned last year. Hopefully, it will pay dividends at the end. I really have to try and make sure I finish ahead again in the next race.”
Hamilton is also seeking to score another pole position to extend his run to seven in succession.
“I have six in a row and Ayrton Senna had eight in a row — and I want to catch Senna. That’s even more of a challenge,” he said.
The high temperatures expected at the Bahrain track are certain to play a major role in the outcome as this year’s lineup of heavier, fatter and faster cars creates new levels of wear on the broader tires.
“I enjoy that fact that we are racing together in these cars,” added Hamilton, of his battle with Vettel, who won the season-opening race in Melbourne in March.
“I think right now we are a good match and the sportsmanship is amazing.
“When I win he enjoys it, and when I lose it is the same as I can acknowledge it too. We are both giving respect to each other and that is a great place to be.”
The two main championship contenders will be chased by Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen with Red Bull, who improved their form in China, pushing hard as the third-fastest team.
Following his astonishing drive from 16th on the grid to finish third in a rain-affected race, Dutch teenager Max Verstappen will be aiming to stay ahead of teammate Daniel Ricciardo of Australia.
Behind them, much attention will focus on the form and future of two-time champion and three-time Bahrain winner Fernando Alonso of McLaren, who will miss the Monaco Grand Prix next month in order to race in the Indianapolis 500.