It is four-time champion Vettel who holds the early advantage after a resurgent Ferrari delivered on their pre-season form to beat Hamilton’s Mercedes and win the opening race of the new season in Australia today.
Vettel finished 10 seconds clear of Hamilton as Ferrari, who failed to win a single race last year, became the first team other than Mercedes to win the opening round of a season since 2013.
Vettel and Hamilton are considered as the two finest drivers of their generation and, while Rosberg ended his long-running losing streak to Hamilton last year, he was never viewed as being in the same league.
And in what could be viewed as a subtle barb at Rosberg, who watched Albert Park’s season opener from his lounge in Monte Carlo, Hamilton concurred.
“Definitely,” he replied when asked if he was anticipating a greater challenge from Vettel than Rosberg. “This year you are seeing the best against the best with the best drivers at the top.
“We have a great driver in Sebastian winning four titles after his incredible surge into Formula One and he will continue to be a force for many years to come.
“It has been a privilege to be racing in an era with him and finally we are in a period of time when we can actually have a real race.”
Vettel was equally complimentary, saying: “I have great respect for Hamilton. He has proven to be one of the quickest drivers on the grid and I would love to have a close battle. It is a lot of fun to race for victories and a lot of fun to race against the best.
“Right now it looks like we have equal machinery and I hope it stays that way.”
