Remember the 2017 and 2018 title championships? Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were onto each other the whole season as they fought for the title. One would expect such a championship fight to ruin the friendship, as Hamilton and Rosberg ended up in 2016. However, the 7X World Champion and the Red Bull legend to date are very good friends and Vettel is the only driver to have Hamilton’s phone number. Despite this friendship, Lewis Hamilton disrespected Vettel at the Canadian GP. What did Hamilton say?

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel showcased one of the best championship fights in the last decade during the 2017 F1 season. Whilst the battle was fierce, it was always respectful. Lewis Hamilton considers Sebastian Vettel as one of his closest friends as he expressed his thoughts on the German leaving the sport last year calling him an ally and friend. The Briton even threw a dinner party to celebrate Vettel’s retirement and invited all the drivers to it. 

However, at the track where the infamous Vettel and Hamilton incident regarding swapping the podium position boards happened, the Briton decided to disrespect his friend. After finishing on the podium, Lewis Hamilton during the post-race interviews said “It is an honor to share the podium with Max and a three-time world champion”. When questioned by the journalist on the three-time champion remark, Hamilton replied, “I honestly consider Fernando three times world champion: 2005, 2006, and 2012.” [Translated via Google]

Read More: Despite Fernando Alonso’s Insulting Dig, Lewis Hamilton Pays Huge Compliment to His Arch-Rival Before the Much Anticipated Battle

Fernando Alonso narrowly missed out on the championship in 2012, losing to Sebastian Vettel who won by three points. However, the German was let through by his mentor, Michael Schumacher, so that Vettel can cruise home with somewhat of a buffer buffer to win the championship. Nevertheless, the three-time championship comment from Hamilton after losing P2 to Fernando Alonso seems like a huge compliment. 

How did Lewis Hamilton lose P2 to Fernando Alonso?

Lewis Hamilton had a mega start at the Canadian GP and overtook Alonso. With the race pace that Mercedes showed at the Spanish GP and Hamilton’s comment about giving hell to Alonso at Montreal, the Briton looked good to finish in P2. However, the heavily upgraded Aston Martin overtook the 7X world champion on Lap 22 and kept the position. 

Fernando Alonso faced issues in the latter part of the race with his brakes as Lewis Hamilton caught up to him. Nevertheless, the Spaniard showed his experience, let Hamilton catch up while burning the rubber, and ran away in the final 5 laps of the race to equal his best finishing position of the season.

Watch this Story: Ugliest Moments in Hamilton-Rosberg Rivalry

What did you make of Lewis Hamilton disrespecting Sebastian Vettel to praise Fernando Alonso?