Vettel critical of those 'waiting for Hamilton-Verstappen crash'

Sebastian Vettel has criticised those 'waiting for a crash' between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton and praised the "class" both drivers have shown during the early stages of their F1 title battle.

The Mercedes and Red Bull drivers have locked horns at each of the opening four rounds this season, with Verstappen's daring moves at the first corner of the Emilia Romagna and Spanish Grands Prix, in particular, almost leading to contact.

After the Dutchman had shrugged off the anticipation of the pair potentially coming together in the future, Vettel took aim at those who are waiting for a collision.

Asked about his thoughts on the leading battle, the four-time champion said: "I am not really observing them. I am busy enough as it is.

"I think one thing that you, people outside, journalists don't seem to understand is how close it is sometimes and how easily things can go wrong without any intentions.

"I think nobody goes into an overtake wanting to take the other car out or himself out because the risk of getting it wrong is so high.

"But then you want to get past sometimes or defend your position and you are playing with very little margin and it can take so little to get it wrong.

"So far they have done really well and it shows the class that they both have. I don't see why you are so excited to wait for a crash. You should be excited that they have managed to race that close and intense without crashing.

"That's the skill, not crashing. I know for you it is more exciting when there are bits flying, but for us, we get a blast by managing to be right on the edge and mastering that."

Hamilton takes a 14-point lead into this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix after winning three of the first four races.

But with Verstappen fighting the seven-time F1 champion in a different car, Vettel is intrigued to see how the tussle will turn out.

On the battle so far, he joked: "I've not seen a big deal of it because I was quite a long way back."

He then added: "Ultimately they are very close in pace and if you are very close in pace then you are fighting for the same spot on the track more often.

"It is great if you are fighting for the lead with two drivers in two different cars. Obviously, we will see how it pans out over the course of the year."

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