MEXICO CITY: Sebastian Vettel congratulated Lewis Hamilton and told him to come back ready for another battle next season after the Briton clinched his fifth world title on Sunday.
The four-time champion German, who finished second behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix, said he wanted to win another title by beating the best opposition.
“I congratulated him, he drove superb all year, and he was better all year,” Vettel told reporters after Hamilton, who finished fourth in the race, had clinched his fifth title.
“Number five is incredible. I congratulated him, and told him to keep pushing for next year, as I need him good to fight him again.
“He deserves it. He did the best job this year.
“This is an absolutely horrible moment -- you put a lot of work in. I did pay attention in maths so I knew the numbers!
“Three times in my life I have had that disappointment when you realise you can’t win the world championship and those are not happy days.
“You reflect on the work that goes on from last year to now.
“We had some chances, we used some and did not use some. In the end we were not good enough."