Vettel on common passion with Hamilton

Sebastian Vettel believes his relationship with Lewis Hamilton will endure their title battle this season because they only share a common passion for racing.

Hamilton lives a very active lifestyle, often appearing at high-profile events and documenting his experiences in detail on social media. Vettel, by contrast, is not publicly on social media and attempts to keep his personal life separate from his racing career, and the championship leader says their similarities are largely confined to the track.

"I think we have a great common passion – we love racing," Vettel said. "Outside the track we are not best friends, I have known him for a long time but I don't have a problem with him. I think we are very different but I don't think that matters. It shouldn't matter.

"[In Spain] I didn't want him to win, I wanted to win, so not entirely happy but at the same time I have nothing to complain or moan about as he drove past us on the track and they did a better job as a team. He did a better job as a driver so there is nothing we can do about it now.

"I am here to race; that is what I enjoy. Off the track I don't see a reason why you cant have a good time. We are not best friends but I think we are very different. I think we have a very strong connection as we both love racing. We all do sitting on the grid – that is what should connect us."

Hamilton himself believes the respect between the two is dependent on the way they race each other, with Vettel having forced the Mercedes driver wide on one occasion during their Spanish Grand Prix battle.

"It is difficult to say," Hamilton said. "It was a very close battle [in Spain] and if it had gone in a different direction, it would have been different between us.

"You know how racing goes. If he had hit me in Turn 1 and had won the race, it would not have been 'great job, Sebastian.' It was aggressive but it was still able to remain in the fight, fortunately. Ultimately, I avoided the collision, but I love a tough fight. I love a challenge.

"He was respectful, and still that respect stayed the same but I think you could sense he was angry. He said he was angry. He drove a fantastic race, but I can also understand how he feels. You are never happy if you finish second. If he finished second and was happy, I'd be concerned because that is not what we exist to do."