Hamilton hails Vettel as ‘great champion’

Clarifies comments made regarding the Red Bull driver at Korean GP.

TOKYO: Britain's Lewis Hamilton yesterday backtracked on his suggestion that Sebastien Vettel's Formula One dominance was a turn-off for fans, hailing the German as a ‘true champion’.

Hamilton said he wanted to ‘clarify’ his comments from Sunday's Korean Grand Prix, and sent a series of laudatory tweets about the soon-to-be four-time world title-winner depending on the results of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

"Read some of the stories or reports of my comments on Seb,” tweeted Hamilton. “Feel the need to clarify my thoughts. Seb is a great champion!

"I admire his dedication and ability to consistently perform without mistakes. This is the mark of a true champion.

"Regardless of what you and I may think about his car, at the end of the day he's doing the perfect job."

In Korea, Hamilton said Vettel's hold on the sport reminded him of the days of Michael Schumacher, who won seven world titles.

"I feel for the fans though because I remember the period of time when Michael Schumacher was winning," the 2008 world champion was quoted as saying.

"I remember waking up in the morning to watch the start of the race and then going to sleep, and then waking up when it ended because I already knew what would happen."

McLaren hope to find Magnussen a seat in F1

Young Danish driver Kevin Magnussen and Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne both deserve to be in Formula One and will get there eventually, according to McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh.

Both are in the McLaren young driver programme and are competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

"I think both are really good guys and they both will get into Formula One and we've got a duty of care to get them there," Whitmarsh told reporters of the 21-year-olds. "I think they are both pretty special."

McLaren have had talks with Lotus, Force India and Marussia about giving an opportunity to Magnussen next season.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2013.

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