"I don't fancy seeing him," says Hamilton after Mercedes and Ferrari drivers clash in Azerbaijan GP, "It might turn into something else"
Monday 26 June 2017 13:30, UK
Lewis Hamilton says he has no intention of speaking to Sebastian Vettel about their collisions in the Azerbaijan GP.
Hamilton branded Vettel's driving in Baku "dangerous" and "disgusting" after the Ferrari twice hit his Mercedes.
"If he wants to prove that he's a man then I think that we should do it out of the car, face to face," Hamilton said immediately after the race.
The Mercedes driver then told Sky Sports News HQ: "I don't fancy seeing him. It might turn into something else."
Hamilton slams 'disgusting' Vettel
Although race stewards meted out a 10-second stop-and-go penalty against Vettel, the championship leader refused afterwards to admit any wrongdoing - but did tell reporters he would try to contact Hamilton privately.
But, speaking later on Sunday night, Hamilton responded: "I've heard what he said after the race.
"Firstly, he doesn't have my number. I'm going to do my talking on the track.
"All I'm thinking is 'get my head together'. I want to kill it in the next 12 races."
Vettel accused Hamilton of 'brake-testing' him when their cars were running behind the Safety Car during Sunday's chaotic and controversial Grand Prix before arguing his penalty was "harsh".
The Ferrari driver then told reporters: "I don't have a problem with him. I respect him a lot for the driver he is. I don't think this is the right time to talk. I will do that just with him.
"I am willing to sort it out with him but l don't think there is much to sort out. I will talk with him when you [the media] are not here. I don't think there is a big problem."
But Hamilton's furious denouncement of the championship leader marks the end of their 'friendly rivalry', with the Hamilton-Vettel bromance, which until now had been the signature feature of the season, already a thing of the past.
In the words of Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, "the gloves are now off" in the world championship battle.
"I like to think I remain respectful and l will continue to be so," added Hamilton. "I want to do the talking on the track. I want to win this championship the right way."
