The Mercedes and Ferrari drivers continue their Formula One duel in China on Sunday and Hamilton is relishing the challenge of Vettel having a competitive car
In 2011, Lewis Hamilton took second place at the Korean Grand Prix in what was a remarkable drive in an underperforming McLaren. Sebastian Vettel was the winner but Hamilton, a second a lap slower than the two Red Bulls and suffering from understeer owing to debris stuck in the front wing, held off Mark Webber for 34 laps to secure the place.
The McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, said: “I can’t speak more highly of the drive he did in those circumstances,” and it really was a striking achievement. Hamilton, much to everyone’s surprise, saw it differently. “If you expect me to be all happy-doolally after a race like that you’re not going to hear it,” he said. It emerged a week later he had been splitting up with his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger at the time. Hamilton, as ever, had his heart on sleeve and it went a long way to explaining his post-race feelings.
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