Lewis Hamilton senses Sebastian Vettel 'weakness' ahead of German Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has accused title rival Sebastian Vettel of being weak in the wake of his British Grand Prix celebrations.

Two weekends ago, the German ended Hamilton’s bid for a fifth successive win at Silverstone, saying on the race radio afterwards: “We won on their home.”

It was an impressive result for Vettel and Ferrari at a track where they have struggled to match Mercedes’ pace, a result which moved the German eight points clear in the drivers’ standings, but his comments were a clear barb to Hamilton and Mercedes.

Now Hamilton has the chance to turn the tables on Vettel at Sunday’s German Grand Prix on what is another home race for the German manufacturer with heavy British roots.

“I heard there was something said,” Hamilton said of Vettel’s remarks. “I see that as a weakness, the whole need to even say anything.

“For me, it is something we can work with and it doesn’t affect me whatsoever.

“Good for him. We will just keep our heads down and focus on trying to do a better job across the board. That is our approach right now.”

Hamilton goes into the penultimate race before Formula One’s month-long summer break - the Hungarian Grand Prix takes place next week - fresh from having signed a £40million-a-year deal to stay at Mercedes for a further two years.

The 33-year-old admitted he had been approached by another of the big teams, the inference being that Ferrari had sounded him out about his future.

But he insisted a move beyond Mercedes, which has been his home since 2013, was never in his thoughts, similarly the idea that this weekend is about revenge with regards to Vettel and his potential Ferrari suitors.

“I don’t have that type of mentality,” said the Briton, who boasts three wins in 2018 to Vettel’s four.

“I want to win here and we haven’t won enough races this year. We have stumbled at times - and even a small stumble is magnified because this year is so close.

“But it’s great that it’s this close in F1. It’s great for the sport the way it is, and we need more championships like this.”

As for his chances of turning the tide against Vettel, he added: “I have never been so confident and empowered by my team as I am right now. It’s exciting how things will unfold over the next few months.”