Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel shared a competitive title rivalry throughout Vettel’s tenure at Ferrari. Although Vettel was unable to secure a championship as Mercedes maintained dominance, the two drivers developed a solid friendship over the years. Their relationship was marked by mutual respect and lighthearted moments amid fierce contest on the track.
Vettel was well-known on the Formula 1 grid for his quirky sense of humor, often joking with media, team crew members, and especially fellow drivers. One memorable instance occurred during the post-race press conference of the 2015 Russian Grand Prix, where Vettel sat alongside Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez. Hamilton had just won the race, followed by Vettel in second place and Perez in third.
Vettel’s Playful Joke at the 2015 Russian Grand Prix Press Conference
During the press conference, women were present on the grid throughout the weekend to greet drivers, and they remained nearby as the drivers answered questions. As Hamilton finished replying, Vettel interrupted with a humorous remark. He jokingly claimed that Hamilton had told him he was waiting for the women back at his hotel room, even naming the specific room number.
“You just told me that you’re waiting for the girls to come over to you in the Radisson Hotel, room number 708 but I think they’ve been standing all day so I think they can sit down. Feel free to sit down,” Vettel said (via F1).
This lighthearted interaction captured Vettel’s playful personality that had endeared him to fans and the F1 community alike. Vettel continued to bring humor to the sport until his retirement at the end of the 2022 season, when he was driving for Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Hamilton remains active in Formula 1 and has taken on a new chapter this season by joining Ferrari, the team Vettel once drove for.
Challenges Faced by Lewis Hamilton After Moving to Ferrari
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has proven difficult, with the team struggling to offer a consistently competitive car. Aside from winning the Sprint race in China, Hamilton has had a tough time maintaining strong pace throughout race weekends. His best race finishes so far have been two fourth places, indicating ongoing struggles to match previous championship-winning form.
Having spent nearly two decades at Mercedes and its affiliated teams, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari represented a major adjustment. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur recently admitted that he had underestimated the challenges Hamilton would encounter adapting to a completely new environment.
“Lewis and I, we collectively, probably underestimated the change of environment, and the fact that he spent, for me, 20 years in the same team,” Vasseur told The Race. “McLaren was Mercedes, and then he moved to Mercedes: an English team [a German company which operates out of England], same engine guys, that same culture and so on.”
“So he spent 2006 to 2024, 18 years, in this environment, and then he arrived at Ferrari. And we were stupidly expecting that he will have everything under control.”
What Lies Ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari This Season
Although recent floor and suspension upgrades have improved the stability of Ferrari’s car, it remains unlikely that Hamilton will be able to challenge regularly for race wins in the immediate future. His performance is expected to improve after the summer break, but for now he continues to face an uphill battle.
Ferrari holds second place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, with Mercedes closely chasing. Hamilton’s adaptation to a new team structure, culture, and car will be closely watched as the season progresses, marking an important phase for both the driver and the historic Scuderia.
