Sebastian Vettel says he appreciates the “mutual respect” that exis𝕴ts between himself 🐲and Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton.

While their on-track battle for world championships across the past two seasons has ofꦕten been intense, the relationship between Hamilton and Vettel have remained rela🎃tively harmonious throughout.

The only major flashpoint between the pair came following a controversial collision under the Safety🍸 Car in Baku last year 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 r💖espect between us has always been there,” Vettel said at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix when asked about Hamilton’s support towards him.

“Despite 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 hﷺave for each other. I think [it’s been] very respectful.

“I think obviously there are two different championships a𓆉part from drivers and constructors,” he added.

“One is re🧸ally between the people that work here and then the second one is for the people that also work here but more for people outside.

“I think there’s the driver landscape and the media land😼scape, and obviously they’re not always a match, some𒊎times for a reason, sometimes maybe not.

“That’s important, despite all the things that a༺re said and that people talk about, which is p꧃art 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 team orders in Sochi and also defended Hamilton in Bahrain when the Briton was asked about a comment he made referring to Max Ver♒stappen following the race.

Hamilton, who can clinch ꦅhis fifth drivers’ world championship title in Austin if he ou🅘tscores 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 ꦗdo the same thing so it's more as drivers we are all members of the GPDA and I think we all just need to stick togethe🎀r,” Hamilton said.

“I think the respect that we have for one another I thin𓄧k i🔯s probably 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 every hiccup is magnified, naturally, as it is perhaps in any sport at t𒉰he top.

"But there have been many - or several - times that I've been in the firing range and Seb's always been really respectful and supported me, so I thought it was only just t🦩o do the same."