Formula 1 2019: Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel says he is delighted for Lewis Hamilton's title triumph but 'less happy' about his team's season
Hamilton finished second behind Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in Austin on Sunday and was cooling down after the race when, unexpectedly, Ferrari's four-time champion Vettel dropped in to whisper in his ear.
-
Sebastian Vettel said on Monday that he told Lewis Hamilton 'he deserved it all' after the British Mercedes driver clinched his sixth world title at the United States Grand Prix.
-
Lewis Hamilton was cooling down after the race when, unexpectedly, Ferrari's four-time champion Vettel dropped in to whisper in his ear.
-
Vettel had retired early in the race after his car's suspension had failed on the bumpy Circuit of the Americas.
Austin: Sebastian Vettel said on Monday that he told Lewis Hamilton 'he deserved it all' after the British Mercedes driver clinched his sixth world title at the United States Grand Prix.
Hamilton finished second behind Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in Austin on Sunday and was cooling down after the race when, unexpectedly, Ferrari's four-time champion Vettel dropped in to whisper in his ear.
File image of Sebastian Vettel. AFP
Vettel, for several years Hamilton’s fiercest on-track rival, had retired early in the race after his car’s suspension had failed on the bumpy Circuit of the Americas.
"I think now is the time for you to write as many good things as you can," Vettel informed reporters, referring to what he said to Hamilton.
"If somebody wins the title six times, he deserves all of it. That's what I told him as well."
"Obviously I'm happy for him," he added. "I'm not happy that we are not in contention this year and we were so far back, but you need to respect what he achieved these last years and, also, this year, together with his team how strong they have been. I'm happy for him but less happy for us."
Vettel’s Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc said: "On my side, I didn’t even win won one world title... To win six is just incredible.
"I think he deserves it. He has done an incredible season. I grew up watching him on the TV and, yeah, just a huge congratulations."
also read
Formula 1: Mercedes sees 'promising' signs ahead of Australian Grand Prix
While they remain well adrift of the dominant Red Bull team, Toto Wolff said their W14 car was improving.
Formula 1: FIA to clarify rules that led to Fernando Alonso chaos at Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso crossed the finish line third in Jeddah but was then handed a 10-second punishment that dropped him to fourth before a late-night appeal reinstated him.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen shrugs off bug to top practice
Verstappen topped the times for Red Bull ahead of Fernando Alonso in Friday's second free practice at this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.