Lewis Hamilton, title defender this season, has supported the title contender Sebastian Vettel who had drawn criticism over its failure to uphold fans expectations.
Hamilton and Vettel were fighting for second place when the Ferrari’s driver spun his car for unknown reasons at Bahrain Grand Prix. This error has accumulated to fourth count in the last ten races.
The Mercedes lead driver was shocked and was uncertain regarding what made the Ferrari’s driver spin at turn four.
Hamilton said, “I looked at the replay and we didn’t touch. It was really windy there.”
The German had also spun while fight against Hamilton at Monza last year. The same type of events occurs while he was fighting Red Bull’s drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo last year at Suzuka, Japan and Texas, USA respectively.
He responded to questions related to Vettel’s spin. He said, “there’s too few of them to really look too much into it.”
Vettel’s Achievements
Hamilton asserted on his rivals ability to perform and defended him against the criticism over his tiny errors with respect to what he had achieved throughout his career. Vettel has won four F1 world titles and 52 grand prix.
“It happens to all of us,” said Hamilton. “Just because you’re a multiple world champion doesn’t mean you’re not going to have off weekends.
“It’s more cumulative. Look at Vettel’s career, he’s had stunning performances that far more outweigh the weaker races and when he’s spun, for example. They’re miniscule on the status he’s accumulated and created.”
Hamilton commented on un-matching pace of Ferrari’s driver and believes Leclerc had outpace Vettel because the latter was unhappy with his car.
“There are always times when you just happen to not get the right car set-up, which you guys don’t get to see. All these little things that we’re doing, it just doesn’t happen to work that weekend and the differences are so small yet they look so big.
“I don’t know why their car was so different in pace but I’ve had races; I remember looking back on me and Nico [Rosberg] in Barcelona, we were quick in testing and then there was massive differences in the car in the race and you’re just literally driving with your hands behind your back, you’ve got no grip. And then another race it’s the other way.
“I don’t know why that happens but today was one of those for him. But he’s a world champion and great athlete, he will recover and keep pushing.”
