Sebastian Vettel has congratulated Lewis Hamilton on winning his fourth drivers championship after a fourth place finish confirmed he was unable to catch his rival.
Vettel’s championship ambitions came to an end in Mexico as the opening lap clash between the two left both fighting back through the field with Vettel unable to reach the second place he needed to keep the title fight alive.
“It’s disappointing, obviously,” says Vettel. “Lewis has done a superb job all year round and deserves to win the title, so congratulations to him. It’s not about anybody else. Today is about him. It’s his day.”
After an enthralling season-long battle between the two drivers, the result sees Hamilton emulate Vettel as a four-time Formula One world champion.
“I don’t fear him,” says Vettel. “I like racing with him. Obviously I would’ve liked a little bit more of that this year. But overall they [Mercedes] were just the better bunch.”
2017 Mexican Grand Prix
- 2017 Mexican Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2017 Mexican Grand Prix Predictions Championship results
- 2017 Mexican Grand Prix weekend Star Performers
- ‘Race director, look at the race please’: Mexican GP team radio highlights
- Rosberg has third-shortest reign as champion after Hamilton win
Jorge Lardone (@jorge-lardone)
30th October 2017, 0:45
Good gesture.
caci99 (@)
30th October 2017, 10:13
Nice gesture Vettel, Lewis did really deserved it. Now get yourself together and let us have a stronger championship next year with Max in the mix too.
magon4 (@magon4)
30th October 2017, 10:45
And Fernando, maybe… that would be spicy.
But nice words from Seb. To german media, he even went as far as saying that the better man won this year.
Huge difference to the 2012 title, when we remember the defeated contender’s comments…
JettC
30th October 2017, 12:19
Fans are at each others throats but the actual contenders have more respect for each other than the people behind keyboards.
kartguy07 (@kartguy07)
30th October 2017, 13:29
Generally speaking I’d agree, but Vettel has shown a number of times now that it only holds true until the red mist descends, which happens to often with him (Mexico last year at Whiting, Baku with Hamilton being two cases in point).