Vettel dismisses Hamilton Verstappen team-mate support

Sebastian Vettel believes Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen do not require the support of their team-mates in the battle for this year's F1 title.

One of the most captivating championship battles in the sport's history heads into the final two grands prix with just eight points separating Verstappen to Hamilton.

Much has been made of the potential assistance that could be afforded to the pair from Red Bull and Mercedes team-mates Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas respectively.

Aston Martin driver Vettel, however, feels Verstappen and Hamilton should not look to Perez and Bottas for help, as was his case when he won his four titles from 2010-2013 and Mark Webber was his team-mate.

“Mark was obviously in the title fights as well and I don’t know how it is if the other guy supports you or the team has a very clear role," remarked Vettel. "[At Red Bull] It never got to that point.

"We were too close, I guess, in terms of points and it was never that clear that it was only one car, one driver in the second half of the season.

“In general, I am not a big fan of devoting the second driver just to help, which I don’t think is currently the case.

"Maybe it is a little bit hyped but I think everybody should race for his own race and you should fight for your own championship.

“I’m quite happy that I didn’t have great support, and I don’t mean this negative to Mark, but just that I had to do it on my own because looking back I am very proud at what I achieved.

"I achieved it on my own and not because I was helped.”

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