Sebastian Vettel says he appreciates the “mutual respect” that exists between himself and Formula 1 title rival Lewi🍷s Hamilton.

While their on-track battle for world championships across the past two seasons has often been i💜ntense, the relationship between Hamilton and Vettel have remained relative♓ly harmonious throughout.

The only major flashpoint between the pair🌠 came following a controversial collision under the Safety Car in Baku last ye🍌ar but both drivers were quick to move on from the incident.

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton leapt to Vettel’s defence in a post on Instagram that claimed the Ferrari driver had been the subject of unfair criticism from the media after a spate of recent mistakes.

“I think the respect between✱ us has always been there,” Vettel said at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix when asked about Hamilton’s support towards him.

“Desp༺ite the fact that maybe we are very different, we appreciate the job that the other guy is doing. I think it’s a mutual respect that we have for each other. I think [it’s been] very respectꦗful.

“I think obviously there are t🅰w🐬o different championships apart from drivers and constructors,” he added.

⛦“One is really between the people that work here and then the second one is for the people that also work here but more for people o꧑utside.

“I think there’s the driver landscape and🅰 the media landscap⭕e, and obviously they’re not always a match, sometimes for a reason, sometimes maybe not.

“That’s important, despite all the things that are said and that people talk about, whi✱ch is part of our sport and is why our sport is so popular.”

Hamilton explains Vettel defence

Vettel previously called out journalists for questioning Mercedes’ use of tℱeam orders in Sochi aܫnd also defended Hamilton in Bahrain when the Briton was asked about a comment he made referring to Max Verstappen following the race.

Ha🎶milton, who can clinch his fifth dr🅘ivers’ world championship title in Austin if he outscores Vettel by eight points on Sunday, explained that his comments were borne out of respect for his chief rival.

"I think if I was in the same position they would probably do the same thing so iꦕt's more as drivers we are all members of the GPDA and I think we all just need to stick together,” Ha꧟milton said.

“I think the respect that we have for one another I think is proꦰbably the greatest that it's been for many years.

"At least in the years that I've been in Formula 1. I think ultimately as a four-time world champion, it is the most intense year that we've had. So eve♛ry hiccup is magnified, naturally, as it is perhaps in any sport at the top.

"But there have been many - or several - times that I've been in the firi꧃ng range and Seb's always been really respectful and supported me, so I thought it was only just to do the same."