Lewis Hamilton believes pressure got the better of Sebastian Vettel in 2017, a state of affairs which played into the hands of the Mercedes driver.
The pair's clash in Baku, when Vettel deliberately drove into Hamilton while the two were fiercely battling each other in the world championship, was a clear example of Ferrari driver's lack of control in the heat of the moment this year.
"Seb showed more nerves this season than before," Hamilton told Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.
"None of us are superman, and everyone can fail under extreme pressure," added the Briton.
"Some reached that point sooner, others later. It's like tennis. If Federer plays against Nadal, one waits for a small weakness in the other, because half a percent is enough."
Hamilton on the other hand appears to raise his game under pressure.
"You saw it at the end of the season," he added. "Suddenly I had no more pressure and was not very good. I compare this season with a 100 sprint by Usain Bolt.
"He often gets a bad start but then he comes back."
Hamilton believes Vettel will take into the winter the lessons from 2017 and come back stronger next season.
"I'm assuming that he recovers his strength for next year, but I'm not afraid," he said.
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
As Formula 1 concludes its North American leg, the FIA is preparing to conduct the…
Formula 1’s ongoing debate over the future of the sport has gained another heavyweight voice,…
On this day in 1995, Nigel Mansell closed the door on his career in Formula…
Who says the most intense action happens on the track? While the 2026 season is…
George Russell may be driving for Formula 1’s dominant team, but according to former F1…
Christian Horner’s Formula 1 exile may already be ticking toward its conclusion – and if…