Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are serving up a real treat
Lewis likened to Jesus, but in Germany he was more Lazarus
● The dramatic reversal in fortunes experienced by Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton during the German Grand Prix last weekend highlighted why Formula One fans are being treated to such a special championship fight this season.
Hamilton staged a remarkable comeback over two days at the Hockenheimring circuit. He was eliminated from qualifying on the Saturday and then drove through the field on Sunday to win in one of the most chaotic races in recent memory.
On Saturday he despairingly knelt by his car after it stopped, a stark contrast to his emotions 24 hours later as he celebrated with arms wide open on the podium.
The four-time world champion, who makes no secret of his religious beliefs, credited divine intervention for the victory and later called it the greatest drive of his career.
‘Portrays himself like Jesus’
His behaviour has been criticised by the notoriously outspoken Jacques Villeneuve, who won the title in 1997 and now works as a TV pundit on Sky Italia.
“He confuses Formula One with Hollywood,” he said. “Everything he does is staged. He portrays himself on social media like he is Jesus.
“The way he knelt next to his car after his problem in qualifying looked like the suffering of Christ. And what he said afterwards was the Sermon on the Mount. Then he gestured so dramatically on the podium that everyone could see who sent the sudden rain.”
Hamilton’s win moved him 17 points clear of title rival Vettel in the championship.
Afterwards, he took to Instagram to criticise pundits of UK broadcaster Sky Sports for “undermining” him during the coverage of the race, while adding that he forgave them for the critical things he felt they had said.
At a Mercedes press event in Stuttgart this week Toto Wolff, the executive director of the Mercedes Formula One team, revealed he has encouraged Hamilton to be outspoken on social media.
This led to Hamilton making the “undermining” claim against Sky Sport soon after his victory in the German Grand Prix.
‘Not a good word to say’
The 33-year-old Hamilton published the comment to his 6.7 million followers on Instagram before removing the post.
“I never get to watch the races but just got home and watched Sky,” Hamilton wrote.
“I find it amazing listening to the exdrivers commentating [and] not a single one of them could find a good word to say.
“Whatever the reason is, it’s OK, I forgive you.
“Positivity and love wins always and no matter what words you use to try and undermine me, I started 14th today and finished first. God is good all the time.”
Praised the comeback
Hamilton’s long-term rival Nico Rosberg was among Sky’s punditry team in Germany, which also included Damon Hill, Britain’s 1996 world champion, and Martin Brundle, the Englishman who took part in 165 grands prix.
Earlier, Rosberg had praised Hamilton’s remarkable comeback drive by warning that his former Mercedes teammate should never be underestimated.
“Never write off Lewis because he always comes back, and that is a fact,” added Rosberg, whose relationship with his long-term rival remains frosty. “He showed it again by taking home the win.”
Rosberg also poured further salt on Vettel’s wounds by claiming the Ferrari driver was battling the “darkest moment” of his career.
Vettel should have moved as many as 21 points ahead of Hamilton, but will head to the Hungarian Grand Prix today 17 points behind the Briton after his catastrophic retirement last weekend which cost him the lead in the championship.