Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been involved in a fierce battle for the 2018 driver’s championship. While the battle was a topsy-turvy one to start of with, ever since the summer break, it has tilted massively towards Hamilton.
Ferrari and Vettel have been guilty of making far too many errors, leading to a massive 67 point gap at the top of the driver’s standings.
Vettel has been heavily criticised for errors in the second half of the season, as despite having the best possible package, he has squandered a golden opportunity of claiming his 5th world title.
The media have been at Vettel’s throat for his no-show in the second half of the season and the Ferrari man found support from the most unexpected place when Hamilton put up a story for his rival, asking the media to go easy on him, as they are not really aware of the pressure on a driver to perform and compete in a driver’s championship race.
When asked about his Instagram post for Vettel, Hamilton said that as a driver’s unit, everyone should stick up for one another.
Also, Vettel stood up for Hamilton during the early part of the season, when the media constantly focussed on Hamilton swearing post the race in the driver’s room. Hamilton felt it was time to return the favour.
“I think if I was in the same position they would probably do the same thing. As drivers we are all members of the GPDA [Grand Prix Drivers’ Association] and I think we just all need to stick together. The respect we have for one another is probably the greatest it’s been for many years, at least the years I’ve been in Formula 1.
“Ultimately as a four-time world champion it is the most intense year that we’ve had. Everything, every hiccup is magnified, as it is in any sport at the top.
“There have been several times that I’ve been in the firing range and Seb’s always been really respectful in supporting me so I thought it was only just to do the same.” Hamilton said.
Vettel had earlier also criticised the journalists for constantly asking Hamilton and Bottas about the team orders imposed by Mercedes during the Russian GP, saying that it was quite logical what Mercedes did.
