Vettel gives Hamilton credit for F1 dominance

Sebastian Vettel says Lewis Hamilton deserves credit for his own role in his run of dominance in Formula 1, dismissing detractors who claim Mercedes' strength is the sole reason.

Mercedes' advantage over the rest of the grid is clear and the Silver Arrows secured a sixth straight title double at the Japanese Grand Prix last time out, setting a new all-time F1 record.

Hamilton is likely to secure a fifth word title in that timeframe, and sixth overall, heading to the Mexican Grand Prix needing to outscore team-mate Valtteri Bottas, his only remaining rival, by 14 points to secure the crown.

Prior to Mercedes' run of success, Vettel and Red Bull were F1's dominant force and the German disagrees with detractors, racing rival Max Verstappen recently among them, who claim that Hamilton has only won because he has driven the best car.

"I think obviously Mercedes has had the best car over the last couple of years and I think there are other drivers who have had a good chance at winning, a championship, the championship, whichever you talk about," Vettel said.

"But it's more than that, it's the combination of that.

"As much as I didn't enjoy the years he was winning, especially when we were fighting, not so much towards the end as I would have loved to, you have to appreciate the fact that it's the combination."

"It's not just Lewis, it's not just Mercedes, it's the combination too that has got to a point where they are very, very difficult to beat, very consistent and very little errors.

"So credit to him, credit to the team. I don't think you can separate the two, it's only fair to mention the two of them."

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