Lewis Hamilton has admitted that his admiration and respect for Sebastian Vettel has grown "considerably" since they came to blows last year during the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The two were fighting for the win when Hamilton was hit by Vettel, under the safety car and believing the Mercedes man had brake-checked him, Vettel deliberately turned his Ferrari into the lead Mercedes.
The incident earned the Ferrari driver a 10-second stop-go penalty but he managed to finish in front of Hamilton after he had to pit from the lead to replace a faulty headrest.
Hamilton branded Vettel a "disgrace" after the race however almost a year on from the incident, when asked how he viewed the incident, the Brit conceded his respect for his rival had grown since then.
“It’s good to see fire within the people that you’re competing with, it’s also good to see that they’re not perfect because I guess nobody’s perfect,” he said.
“We all make mistakes but it’s more so how people handle it and how they progress (that) is what you can really learn from.
“The respect has grown, actually, a considerable amount since then.
“I’m sure it will continue. He’s continued to progress as the champion that he is – how he presents himself, how he speaks, he continues to grow.”
Regarded by fans as two of the top drivers in the world, they look set to do battle again this season as both seek to add a fifth world drivers championship to their name.
Read more about:
Today
Popular on GPBlog
1
Norris crash gave Lambiase crucial idea says Max: 'It was the right call'
1730 times read
2
Marko makes striking statement after Verstappen's pole: 'McLaren bluffed quite a bit'
1463 times read
3
McLaren not at all surprised by Verstappen: 'Red Bull played hide and seek'
1005 times read
4
F1 Live | Follow Qualifying for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix!
928 times read