Lewis Hamilton has voiced his love for the ‘raw’ battle he had with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel en route to his 55th career win at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Having lost out at the start of the race to his main championship rival, Mercedes utilised an alternative strategy to help the British driver to get back into a position to win the grand prix.
“It’s been a really good weekend and a great way to bounce back from Russia,” said Hamilton.
“It was the rawest fight that I can remember having in a long-time. I loved it, this is why I race.
“This is what made me get into racing in the first place. This is what the sport needs to be like every single weekend. To have a close battle like that with a four-time champion is awesome.
“I lost out on the start and had to watch Sebastian fly by. He was so fast out in front and it was such a push to keep in touch with him and not let him pull away.”
Making his second pit stop under the virtual safety car, allowed Hamilton to close the gap to Vettel by seven seconds, on lap 38 the German then made his pitstop and as he left the pitlane the two went side by side into Turn 1 with the two drivers banging wheels.
“He didn’t give me much space, it was close!” added Hamilton.
“I thought Seb would get me at the end of the final stint but I was able to do it.
“I have to congratulate my team today, with the strategy and the pit stops, as well as everyone back at the factory that has worked so hard to deliver these upgrades, enabling us to be so close in this fight with Ferrari.”
