Hamilton rivalry 'doesn't matter' to Vettel

Sebastian Vettel says he is not motivated to beat Lewis Hamilton more than any opponent in Formula 1. Hamilton won a fourth title last year to draw level with the Ferrari star, with both expected to go toe-to-toe in a battle for title number five in 2018.

Mercedes' dominance of the hybrid era has helped Hamilton show the same kind of dominance that Vettel displayed at Red Bull previously.

The Brit has won three of the last four drivers' titles, with the Silver Arrows sweeping the constructors' standings.

Hamilton and Vettel were pitched in regular, direct competition for race wins and titles for the first time in their respective careers last season, occasionally leading to friction.

But the German does not hold his rival in any special regard.

"Lewis is a four-time world champion and one of the best F1 drivers," Vettel told Sport Bild.

"He is an opponent on the track, but not in life. Honestly, it does not matter to me who you are driving against.

"But if you win against Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso at the end, you're proud of it because you know that the level at which Lewis or Fernando are racing is extremely high."

Vettel showed cracks at times last season, banging wheels with Hamilton in Baku to earn a penalty, before his misjudgement off the line in Singapore began to hand the title to the Mercedes man.

"What errors are, everyone can judge best for themselves. Of course you should not cross the border, but that happens sometimes in life," Vettel added.

"If that did not happen, would life be so worth living? I don't think so.

"I think it's also interesting for other people to be able to form their own opinion in each situation and to make their own judgment.

"When I put on the cap after that, I have to live with it. Life goes on."