Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel had one of the most intense rivalries of the Turbo Hybrid era. The duo spent years duking it out; Seb in the Ferrari red and Hamilton in the silver Mercedes. The pair has 11 world titles between them and are among the greatest drivers of their generation, with their rivalry drawing comparisons to some other great ones.

Hamilton himself has made such comparisons at one point in their career. During the 2015 season when Vettel was in his first season at Ferrari, Hamilton had hoped to have a battle for the ages with the German.

Speaking about their duel Hamilton said, “There have been races we have had this year where there has been such distance between us, I’m dying to [have battles].”

He added, “I saw a photo the other day where Nigel and Ayrton were wheel to wheel down the straight with sparks coming out. I picture that, I can’t wait for that to be me and Sebastian…That would be the most exciting thing ever.”

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The two ended up having many such battles a couple of years down the line with Hamilton coming out on top. However, it was one rivalry for the fans to remember, especially the 2017 and 2018 season.

Lewis Hamilton makes heartfelt admission about rival and friend Vettel

Vettel and Hamilton are also great friends and have tremendous admiration for each other. With Vettel closing the curtain on his illustrious 15 year long career at the end of this season Hamilton has come out with some sweet words for his fellow world champion.

Hamilton said, “I would say naturally my first feeling is that it’s sad to see he’s stopping. I’ve not had a lot of time to think about all of the journey we’ve gone through together but when I talk about the journey I’ve experienced in this sport and often feeling that it’s been lonely, I would say he’s one of the few people who have made it feel not lonely.”

He went on to add, “For me, we talk about legends in our sport, I don’t really love that name or title. I think he’s one of the greatest people we’ve seen in this sport. We need more like him.”

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With Sebastian no longer competing this friendship might go on to blossom even further. However, for now everyone will be focused at the next race in Hungary in a week’s time.