The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hamilton vows to take the high road after Vettel taunts
Lewis Hamilton has insisted he will not gloat if he triumphs on Sebastian Vettel’s home turf, despite his rival’s jibes after his victory at Silverstone.
Hamilton will head into Sunday’s German Grand Prix eight points adrift in the standings following the Ferrari driver’s win a fortnight ago.
Vettel celebrated his victory by roaring in Italian over the Ferrari radio: “We are leaving with the British flag to hang at [Ferrari headquarters in] Maranello. We have won here at their home.”
Mercedes’ Formula One operation is based only a stone’s throw from Silverstone, and Hamilton’s comeback from last to second – after he was punted off at the first corner by Vettel’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen – was cheered on by 140,000 British fans.
Responding to Vettel’s radio message, Hamilton said: “I heard something was said, but I see that as an act of weakness. It doesn’t affect me whatsoever. Good for him.
“We will keep our heads down, keep quiet, and focus on doing a better job across the board. That is our approach right now.
“I hope that when we do a good job this weekend, we won’t respond by saying, ‘oh, we did it at his home ground’. That is not necessary.”
Hamilton’s own conscience wasn’t exactly clear, however, in the moments after his defeat at Silverstone. He snubbed an interview with broadcaster Martin Brundle before accusing Ferrari of dirty play.
Hamilton’s theory was that Ferrari had hatched a plan to wipe him out of contention by ordering Raikkonen to bang into him on purpose.
A day later he apologised to Raikkonen in posts to his 6.7 million Instagram followers.
“Obviously it was silly to say,” Vettel said. “We are racing and we have all been there. It is never great if you get hit when you have done nothing wrong. It’s two weeks ago. We move on.”
Hamilton and Mercedes moved on by ending the 33-year-old Brit’s long-running contract saga, ensuring his future on the grid for at least another two seasons.
He will be rewarded with an eye-watering £80 million, and will once again be partnered by Valtteri Bottas after Mercedes resisted the temptation of signing Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull.
“I am sure for the team there were questions and discussions at lunch,” Hamilton said. “’Is he staying? Is he not staying?’ So now this has been announced it has stopped all of that, and we can now embark on a strong future.
“There are no questions lingering around so for the team that is a positive, and we need all the positive energy we can get.”
Hamilton finished second in both practice sessions on Friday, with Vettel fourth.