Vettel reveals details of Hamilton relationship

Sebastian Vettel has admitted that he has no "direct contact" with his Formula 1 championship rival, Lewis Hamilton, other than through quick encounters during press conferences or on the podium following a race, whilst also revealing the one thing that keeps him going through the tough times in his career.

Vettel and Hamilton have been the two main contenders for the 2018 drivers' title this season, but since the summer break the Brit has steadily increased his lead, while Vettel has dropped behind due to a series of strategy errors from Ferrari and on-track mistakes.

While the duo are not believed to be rivals away from the grid, Vettel claims that they aren't exactly best friends either, with little contact being made between them other than in a professional capacity - making it difficult for mind games to happen.

"If we see each other, it's briefly at a press conference or the briefing or with a little luck on the podium. There is no direct contact," Vettel said.

"Things like ‘you have no balls' or ‘you were crap today' are no longer possible because every word is put on a golden scale.”

Fastest lap for #Seb5 1:32.670 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/VahDBryBb8 — Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 7 October 2018

The four-time world champion believes it is important to block out the negative comments volleyed towards him when underperforming, and thinks it is important to take a step back and remember why he started racing in the first place - joy.

"Pressure is not necessarily fun," Vettel added. “But it doesn't always exist where people often suspect from the outside.

"Honestly, you drive for yourself and for those who help you to compete at this level. One guiding principle helps me. It's that no one is ever as good or as bad as it is said.

“And I always like to reflect on what brought me to racing: my enthusiasm and joy."

MORE: 'Lauda to leave intensive care'
MORE: Hamilton better than ever in 2018 Vettel fight, says Wolff