Video: Top 5 highlights of the Hamilton-Vettel fight in 2017

1. Singapore

From hero to zero in a fraction of a second. This is what he experienced Sebastian Vettel when the lights go out for the Singapore Grand Prix at the end of September. On Saturday, the German signs his fourth pole position on the demanding urban circuit. The matter seems (already) settled since Lewis Hamilton, on a Mercedes historically delicate with the bends of the route, is satisfied with a 5th time. This is a great opportunity to take back control of the general classification.

The rest, fans of F1 know her: Ferrari head shifts to the left to protect its place, while Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari, 3rd), started like a rocket on a wet track, tries to overtake Max Verstappen (Red Bull, 2nd). The Dutchman is sandwiched, it's a clash. Pierced radiator, Sebastian Vettel then spins and breaks his front wing. The Scuderia is on the mat after thirty seconds of the event, when ideally a double could be won. Lewis Hamilton doesn't ask for that much: an easy winner, he suddenly takes a 29-point lead.

2. Azerbaijan

Sebastian Vettel is one of the most successful drivers of the decade (you don't win four consecutive titles between 2010 and 2013 by chance), however, the former darling of Red Bull can let himself be dominated by his feelings behind the wheel. On the 19th lap of the eighth round of the calendar in Baku, Lewis Hamilton, then in the lead, kept a reduced pace before the end of the intervention of the safety car. But, at the bend, Sebastian Vettel hit the back of the Mercedes, surprised according to him by a " brake on ".

Furious, he approaches the Briton and kicks his wheel. The stewards did not appreciate this excess of anger and imposed a ten-second stop & go penalty on him in the pits. Sebastian Vettel thus falls from 1st to 4th position. He will admit it later: “I felt like I had disappointed the team” with this maneuver.

3. Italy

It is not a driver in a red Ferrari suit who overlooks the crowd of fans on the podium of the Italian Grand Prix, but a Mercedes resident. Symbolic image, but summarizing the second half of the season, where Lewis Hamilton dominated the Maranello single-seaters. Credited with the best time in qualifying, the Englishman becomes the only record holder for poles in F1 (69 poles at Monza). In the race, Sebastian Vettel was rejected at 36 seconds, and abandoned his position as leader in the Drivers' championship for the first time this year. He will never catch up with his rival.

4. Australia

A Ferrari on the top step of the podium, we haven't seen that before from the Singapore Grand Prix in 2015 ! More than a year and a half of waiting for Sebastian Vettel, who was champing at the bit during a timid 2016 season (4th). Suffice it to say that in Maranello, Sundays were dreary. However, taking advantage of an overhaul of the aerodynamic regulations and tires in winter, the Reds are remobilizing to build a fast SF70-H.

Fast indeed, but how fast? At Mercedes, we certainly did not expect to have to admit defeat from the first laps of the wheel in Melbourne (Australia). The Scuderia's strategists, well inspired, allowed the German to overtake Lewis Hamilton in the pit stop game and win the inaugural event. Observers could therefore foment the dream of a Ferrari-Mercedes duel for the titles…

5. Mexico

Curiously, Lewis Hamilton became four-time world champion by recording his worst performance all year. On the Mexico circuit, the Mercedes driver had his destiny in his hands; he only needed to finish in the top 5 in the event of Sebastian Vettel's success to pocket the reward. However, the former protégé of McLaren finished the first lap at the bottom of the standings, the fault of a flat tire during a collision with Sebastian Vettel. Ranked 9th at the drop of the checkered flag after an effective comeback, the former champion of F3 and GP2 could still indulge in some outlet donuts!