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
McLaren arrived in Bahrain for pre-season testing determined to defend its status as Formula 1’s…
Nico Hulkenberg has given F1 fans a vivid image to ponder ahead of the 2026…
Under the pale winter sun of Barcelona and the desert glare of Bahrain, George Russell…
Peter Gethin, the man who secured perhaps the most thrilling win ever witnessed in Grand…
Aston Martin engine supplier Honda has publicly conceded what the timing screens in Bahrain had…
As the countdown to 2026 gathers pace, Oscar Piastri has reshuffled his inner circle –…