Vettel wants to steal Hamilton’s thunder

HOCKENHEIM, Germany: Sebastian Vettel said Thursday he is more concerned with trying to win his home German Grand Prix than giving any consideration to rival Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster two-year contract extension. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s race the Ferrari driver he had been surprised by how long it had taken Hamilton and Mercedes to agree the deal.

“Congrats,” said the world championship leader. “I have my place and I have my mission and what I want to achieve and, in all honesty, that’s all that matters to me.”Hamilton’s new deal is worth a reported £40 million ($52 million) per year, cementing his position as the Formula One’s highest paid driver and his country’s top-earning sportsman. The announcement, ahead of Mercedes ‘home’ race, followed months of speculation and has tied the 33-year-old Englishman to the German manufacturer until the end of 2020. Vettel, who has never won a German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, which is the circuit closest to his Heppenheim birthplace and family home, said a win on Sunday would be worth more to him than 25 points. “Yes, absolutely,” he enthused. “This is probably the last time for a while as far as I understand, which would be a shame - to lose one of the classic races. “I’m literally from here. It’s just half an hour away where I was born and grew up. The area certainly means a lot to me and it will be great to have a good weekend.”

He added that following Germany’s early exit from the World Cup soccer finals, many fans would still have their flags available to bring to the circuit to support him and Hulkenberg.

Vettel added that it was a pity for a car-manufacturing nation with such a prestigious heritage in motor sport to lose its Grand Prix. Vettel is in no hurry to see Ferrari usher Formula One’s rising star Charles Leclerc in alongside him as a replacement for Kimi Raikkonen.