In the wake of losing this year’s Formula 1 world title race, Sebastian Vettel has been magnanimous in defeat acknowledging that this year his nemesis Lewis Hamilton was the better driver this season.
After finishing second at the Mexican Grand Prix, the maths no longer make it possible for the Ferrari driver to challenge for the drivers’ championship with two remaining rounds.
Vettel told reporters afterwards, “I congratulated him. He drove superb all year and was the better one of us two.”
“Number five is something incredible. I congratulated him, asked him to keep pushing next year and we’ll fight him again.”
“We need to stand there, accept it and say congratulations. I would have loved to hang in there a little longer, but it wasn’t the case.”
When asked where his challenge faltered, Vettel was in no mood to reflect, “I don’t want to [say where the title was lost] now, let me say congratulations.”