Sebastian Vettel will seek a conversation with Lewis Hamilton to discuss their coming together during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday.
The two main championship contenders had their first major incident on track during the race in Baku, with Vettel initially hitting the back of the Mercedes as they awaited the restart following a Safety Car stint and then pulling alongside before swerving into the Briton’s car as he felt the first contact had been due to a brake test.
Telemetry would refute the Ferrari driver’s claim, indicating Hamilton had maintained speed, but the four-time world champion would be given a 10-second stop/ go penalty for what the stewards deemed to be ‘dangerous driving’.
Post-race, Hamilton would slam the actions of Vettel as “disgusting” and “disrespectful” going on to suggest a “face-to-face” conversation between the pair.
“Now is not the right time to talk,” was the 29-year-old’s response, “I’ll do that just with him and clear it and move on.
“Maybe I’m not clever enough but I’m not complicated. I’m willing to sort it out with him. I don’t think there’s much to sort out.”
As for his feelings towards Hamilton after what occurred, with some believing it could deteriorate their friendly rivalry so far, he insisted: “I don’t have a problem with him. I respect him a lot for the driver he is.
“I don’t think that was his intention [the initial contact] because he’s also risking damage to his car, and his race is over.”
Responding to Vettel’s desire to put Baku behind them, Hamilton was more sheepish than he had been in the immediate aftermath of the race.
“Firstly, he doesn’t have my number,” he revealed.
“I’m just going to do my talking on the track, that’s most important for me.
“I’ve heard of what he’s said after the race. I’ve not come out of the race pointing the finger or said anything. It is what it is.”
The three-time world champion, who did fall 14 points behind in the Drivers’ championship as the pair finishing fourth and fifth, did admit, however, his focus was also on moving forward.
“It happened, I don’t think it was right but the biggest thing for me was that I lost the race through the headrest issue,” Hamilton said.
“All I’m thinking of is ‘get my head together’. I want to kill it for the next 12 races to go. I want to win the next 12 races.”
