GPI 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Page 158

THE GLOVES ARE OFF L et’s face it has been borderline cringe-worthy, the ‘bromance’ that developed between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel as it became evident that they were the main title contenders for this year’s Formula 1 World Championship crown. The show of mutual admiration, and back slapping is now a thing of the past thanks to the widely reported incident between the two during an action packed and chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix – and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is not fussed that the rivalry has now been seriously ignited. After the race in Baku, Wolff said candidly, “Nobody wanted to see the schmoozing anyway, so now the gloves are off. The sport needs the rivalry. What we have seen is the ingredient of a great championship.” “They are warriors. They are at war at that moment. They are fighting for the race wins and the championship. At a certain stage, the best ones that compete for the world championship in that phase of their careers can’t be friends. Maybe we’ve seen the limit of that respect,” ventured Wolff The incident in question took place during an incident packed, chaos filled race and the penalty meted out to Vettel was for a swerve at Hamilton as the Ferrari driver drove alongside and swerved at the Mercedes in a show of anger... make that road rage.