The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Vettel regains sparkle to win season opener
Hamilton second in Melbourne
Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is braced for a tougher rivalry with Sebastian Vettel than Nico Rosberg in what he believes will be the “best against the best” competing for this ye a r ’ s Formula One crown.
It is four-time champion Vettel who holds the early advantage after a resurgent Ferrari delivered on their pre-season form to beat Hamilton’s Mercedes and win the opening race of the new season in Australia.
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 season since 2013.
The 29-year-old German and Hamilton – three years his senior – are considered as the two finest drivers of their generation, and while Rosberg ended his longrunning losing streak to Hamilton last year, he was never viewed as being in the same league.
And in what could be viewed as a subtle barb at Rosberg, who watched Albert Park’s seasonopener from his lounge in Monte Carlo, Hamilton concurred.
“Definitely,” he replied when asked if he was anticipating a greater challenge from Vettel than Rosberg. “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 his incredible surge into Formula One. I am grateful to have that fight with him, against Ferrari which is the next best team. It has been a privilege to be racing in an era with him and we are in a period of time when we can have a real race.”
Hamilton appeared to be in charge after nailing the start and beating Vettel on the relatively short run down to turn one. Vettel kept in touch with Hamilton 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. Hamilton never came close to catching him.
“I could have won the race today but for some certain things we may have done better,” Hamilton added.
Hamilton’s new teammate Valtteri Bottas finished third while home favourite Daniel Ricciardo started two laps down after he got stuck in sixth gear en route to the grid.
“I am grateful to have that fight with him, against Ferrari”