Lewis Hamilton not ready to make peace with 'disrespectful' Sebastian Vettel
Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton is not ready to sit down and make peace with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel after their controversial collision during Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Vettel slammed into Hamilton's No. 44 car while the drivers were managing pace under the Safety Car regulations.
Vettel accused Hamilton of brake-testing. However, the data later revealed Vettel's assumption to be incorrect. The German has been subsequently slapped with a 10-second stop-go penalty and finds himself within three points of a one-race ban. Vettel currently leads the FIA World Championship standings with 153 points, followed closely by bitter rival Hamilton who ended the weekend with 139 points.
Despite the bizarre turn of events (Watch video below), Vettel and Hamilton finished the race at fourth and fifth place respectively. Hamilton was forced to take an additional pit stop to repair a loose headrest.
Sebastian Vettel wants to clear the air with Briton
On Monday, Vettel told the media that he plans to call Hamilton later this week to bury the hatchet. However, Hamilton dismissed the desire for talks with his championship rival.
"Firstly, he doesn’t have my number. I’m just going to do my talking on the track, that’s most important for me. I’ve heard of what he’s said after the race. I need some time to reflect on it all, but I think ultimately what happened was disrespectful," said Hamilton, who began the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at pole position before slipping to fifth, via Fox Sports. "If I had had any ill intent in terms of my driving towards him, brake testing, whatever it may be, I still think it’s not deserving of that kind of reaction from someone -- that person you do have respect for. That’s not how you drive. And that’s not an answer to any situation or issue you have."
Vettel acknowledged that he overreacted in the heat of the moment. "I don’t have a problem with him. I respect him a lot for the driver he is. I don’t think that was his intention (to damage my car) because he’s also risking damage to his car, and his race is over. Now is not the right time to talk. I’ll do that just with him and clear it and move on. Maybe I’m not clever enough but I’m not complicated. I’m willing to sort it out with him. I don’t think there’s much to sort out," said Vettel with hopes of making peace with his rival.
Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton are the best drivers of their generation, winning seven World Championships between them. Vettel has the chance to clinch his fifth World Championship and his first with Ferrari this season. After the stop in Baku, the 2017 Formula One season will move to the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix from July 7th-9th. It will be followed by the British Grand Prix (July 14th-16th) at Silverstone Circuit a weekend later. Stay tuned for the latest F1 news and updates.
