Sebastian Vettel gives SAVAGE response to reporter following Lewis Hamilton probe on win
SEBASTIAN VETTEL offered a prickly reply when asked if Formula One rival Lewis Hamilton is now on a par with him.
Sebastian Vettel gives CUTTING response in post-race interview
The Ferrari driver went into Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix with just faint hope of being able to secure his fifth World Championship.
And, despite fighting his way back from 19th to fourth following a lap one crash, his dreams were crushed for good come the end of the race.
Vettel's failure to finish in the top two at Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez meant Mercedes man Hamilton went level with him on four F1 titles.
Asked about Hamilton equalling things up, Vettel didn't sound too impressed.
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Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel saw his Formula One title hopes ended at the Mexican Grand Prix
He's on a par, if you can count
Speaking on Sky Sports, Vettel said: "He's on a par [with me], if you can count.
"I don't fear him, I like racing with him but I would have liked a little bit more of that this year. Overall they were just the better bunch."
Vettel was happy to praise Hamilton, who's become the first British driver to win the F1 title three times, though.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won his fourth Formula One World Championship in Mexico on Sunday
Vettel crashes into Verstappen and Hamilton in the first lap
Vettel said: "It's disappointing [finishing fourth]. It's not that important what we have done today, it's more important what Lewis has done and he's done a superb job all year round and deserves to win the title.
"Congratulations to him. It's not about anybody else today. It's about him. It's his day."
The F1 calendar takes Vettel and Hamilton to Brazil on Saturday November 12 before the season concludes in Abu Dhabi two weeks later.