Lewis, Vettel predict tougher times ahead
BRITON KNOWS RIVALS WILL COME BACK STRONGER
Things are certainly not going to be easy in Formula 1 racing next season if one is to go by the markers laid down by a few of the sport’s greatest drivers at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton’s 11th win of the year — the fourth at this circuit — and the 73rd of his career saw the British driver become the first-ever driver to score more than 400 points in a season.
And while the 33-year-old from Stevenage will be looking at closing in on Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world crowns, the other two protagonists this season — Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen — won’t be too far behind.
Vettel was in the fight for the title for much of the year, with his challenge only fading in the last few races. As for Verstappen, whose highlights included his wins in Austria and Mexico and a final run of five podium finishes, it is within the Dutchman’s ambit to continue his evolution as a top-class driver.
“There’s so much pressure on us all so don’t look at our shortcomings as anything less than us giving our best. I know next year he’s [Vettel] going to come back strong and I’ve got to do my best to come back with it, but I’m really grateful for the good times,” Hamilton said.
Exceptional job
“I really wanted to end the season strong, and I think on a personal note, I was able to do that. On the other side, the team did an exceptional job all year long, and I really wanted, race on, race off, to deliver for them and wanted to end the way that I plan to start next year. That was kind of the new psyche. So it’s been a really strong weekend, which I’m really happy with.”
Vettel, who made a grand start with wins in Melbourne and Bahrain started faltering only to keep the Ferrari challenge alive with another three solid finishes in Canada, Great Britain and Belgium. But by then, Hamilton had managed to nose ahead and cement his fifth world crown with two races remaining.
“Yeah, it’s been a tough year,” said Vettel. “Congrats to Lewis, and as he said I will try, we will try, I think our whole team will try to come back stronger.”
Red Bull’s Verstappen, who won in Austria and Mexico to sign off with five podium runs this season, also felt his team could eventually land up with a perfect and more consistent package next year. “I always find that a really difficult question, because you’re so dependent on the package in Formula One,” said the Dutchman. “I mean, when I was watching Formula One back in the day, it seemed like Lewis was ready for the title in his first year. Seemed like you were pretty quick. Of course, I think in a year you can always do things better but I think that’s every year. Even if, at the end of the day, you win the title, there are always things which you can do better.
“So, even if we have a winning package, for sure there will be weekends where maybe you make a mistake, or it can be a better weekend overall. Hopefully first we’ll have that package.”