Lewis Hamilton has spoken highly of his relationship with Sebastian Vettel as Formula 1 returns to the site of their biggest moment of controversy.
It was in Baku last June that the Ferrari driver famously bumped into the Mercedes in response to what he saw as a brake test by the world champion prior to a Safety Car restart.
Many thought that would be the spark for a heated rivalry between the two most successful drivers of this generation but instead, it has remained one based on respect.
“We all make mistakes but it’s more so how people handle it and how they progress [that] is what you can really learn from," Hamilton commented on Thursday.
“The respect has grown, actually, a considerable amount since then. I’m sure it will continue. He’s continued to progress as the champion that he is – how he presents himself, how he speaks – he continues to grow.”
At the first two races in Azerbaijan, it was Mercedes that have held the advantage, mostly due to their engine advantage on the 2.2km kinking main straight.
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However, having not won any of the first three races, Hamilton isn't expecting an easy ride this weekend or going forward as their period of domination looks to be over.
“The others have definitely stepped up. We’ve made a step forward but they have made a bigger leap,” he said.
“Coming to the end of last year, all the teams were a lot closer at the last race. It’s always easier to catch up but to be pioneering, which we have been for the last four years, has been exceptional.
“Now we have Red Bull at their best, or close to their best, and Ferrari at their best. If we are able to pull through and deliver as we have in previous years it would be the biggest achievement this team will have accomplished.”
