Lewis Hamilton has hit out at his Formula 1 rivals after Red Bull and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel complained about Mercedes’ dominance in the V6 turbo era.
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Red Bull chief Christian Horner went as far as to say that “equalisation mechanisms” were required to reign in the dominance of Mercedes, who cruised to an easy one-two finish at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Hamilton disagrees, telling now-Ferrari man Vettel that he had the same advantage over the rest of the field during his four world titles between 2010 and 2013.
“I was sitting next to Sebastian after the race and I said ‘You did this for four years,'” Hamilton is quoted as saying by The Mirror.
“You were 30 seconds ahead for four years. So I know from back then, how it feels.”
Hamilton then aimed a dagger at Vettel, saying the German had no competition during his reign at the top of the sport with Red Bull.
“Back then he had no-one behind pushing him,” said Hamilton.
“At least I’ve got my team-mate, who I was really racing. I don’t remember that ever being the case with Red Bull.”
Hamilton, who has won seven of the past eight races, said he was fully deserving of his success and it wasn’t all down to his superior Mercedes.
“There has never been a driver that has won the championship that hasn’t had a great car as far as I’m aware,” Hamilton said.
“There’s no-one who had a Marussia and won the world championship, is there?
“Fangio still had a great car. It’s the name of the game. You’ve got to have great equipment as well. I’ve got the car now and I’m driving the way I can.”
The two-time world champion will aim to extend his early lead at the top of the F1 standings at Sepang, with practice beginning on the 27th March.
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