BATTLE OF THE BIG 2
Hammy insists title fight with Vettel can have fans drooling as German ace draws first blood
LEWIS HAMILTON admits he’s bracing himself for a tougher rivalry with Sebastian Vettel for this year’s F1 crown than he had with Nico Rosberg.
The German four-time champion holds the early advantage after a resurgent Ferrari delivered on their pre-season form to beat the Englishman’s Mercedes in the season opener in Australia yesterday.
Vettel finished the best part of 10 seconds clear of Hamilton as Ferrari – who failed to win a single race last year – became the first team other than Mercedes to win the opening round of a campaign since 2013.
Now Hamilton believes this season’s title race will be the greatest yet for F1 fans as he battles it out with the highly-rated 29-year-old German after old foe Rosberg’s retirement.
When asked if he was anticipating a greater challenge from Vettel than Rosberg, he said: “Definitely. This year you are seeing the best against the best with the best drivers at the top.
“It would be great if we had Fernando Alonso up there too but it doesn’t look like that will happen any time soon.
“At least we have a great driver in Sebastian winning four titles after an incredible surge into F1 and he will continue to be a force for many years to come.
“It has been a privilege to be racing in an era with him and finally we are in a period of time when we can actually have a real race.”
Australian champ Vettel is equally excited about pitting his wits against a top-class rival in Hamilton this season. He said: “I have great respect for Hamilton. He has proven to be one of the quickest drivers on the grid and I would love to have a close battle.
“Right now it looks like we have equal machinery. I hope it stays that way.”
After three years of Mercedes dominance, Vettel triumphing in front of a near 100,000 crowd at Melbourne’s Albert Park is expected to usher in a new era of F1.
Hamilton, 32, appeared to be in charge after nailing the start and beating Vettel on the short run down to turn one.
Vettel kept Hamilton honest but as the Briton slowly began to eke out a lead over his rival, the result appeared a formality.
But when Hamilton pitted for fresh tyres at the end of lap 17 he rejoined behind Max Verstappen.
It was the worst possible scenario for the triple world champion, who could not find a way round the 19-year-old Red Bull driver.
Vettel stopped six laps later and emerged with Verstappen, and crucially Hamilton, behind him.
His new team-mate Valtteri Bottas finished third while home favourite Daniel Ricciardo started two laps down after he got stuck in sixth gear on route to the grid before stopping with a mechanical issue midway through.