Hamilton refutes Ecclestone over Vettel 'mental block'

Lewis Hamilton doubts he has developed a mental advantage over Sebastian Vettel as a result of the Ferrari driver's new-found tendency to spin while in wheel-to-wheel action. Vettel was turned while battling over second place with Hamilton last time out in Bahrain.

Similar incidents in Italy, Japan and the USA – following his slide into the gravel from a winning position in Germany – sapped momentum from Vettel's title challenge last season as Hamilton was crowned a five-time world champion.

Bernie Ecclestone claimed in a recent interview that Vettel has developed a "mental block" when battling Hamilton.

However, the Mercedes man says he does not see reason to treat Vettel differently to any other rival.

Asked if he had a mental edge over Vettel, Hamilton replied: "I don't feel that way, I don't go into a battle with him and feel that I've got one up on him, or anything like that.

"I enjoy racing wheel to wheel with anyone, doesn't matter who it is.

"I go in with the same mentality, so it doesn't matter what driver it is in the world, here or any other class, I'd approach it exactly the same.

"That's probably not a good question for me, you probably have to ask him!"

Vettel came into 2019 having been promised "priority" over new team-mate Charles Leclerc, however the Monegasque has challenged that with his on-track performances, including a run to third in Bahrain, which featured an overtake on the German and would have resulted in victory if not for an engine fault.

Although things appear more tense at Maranello compared to Vettel's previous partnership with Kimi Raikkonen, Hamilton doesn't expect to benefit.

"Time will tell. I can't say whether it's going to play in my hands," he said.

"It doesn't look like it will right this second. I've got to fight with two drivers and focus on competing at my best because they're both very quick."