Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel's F3 battle in the wet was pure racing

Formula 1 in the 21st century has been incredible, producing some of the finest drivers we have seen in the history of the sport. 

Fine drivers bring some fine rivalries with them, too, one of which is that of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. With a combined 11 championships between them, the duo have had some fantastic battles over the years.

However, very few are aware of the roots of this rivalry, which dates back to their Formula 3 days. Of all their battles, the one that stands out is the one from the very time, the 2005 season to be particular. 

While the German only managed to finish fifth in the Formula 3 Euro Series that year – as opposed to Hamilton winning it – there were a number of races when they were both on a mad one.

One such occasion was the race at the Lausitz Circuit in Germany, where the duo went all in to get the better of each other, as you can see in the video below.

Hamilton did eventually manage to win the race, overtaking Giedo van der Garde; however, what happened before that was quite gut-wrenching.

Hamilton vs Vettel

F3 – now this is racing

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Had this been on the big stage in F1, most of the sport’s romantics would never shut up about it.

Vettel’s heyday may be over, as might be Hamilton’s with the new rules in place, but this is one rivalry that will forever be etched in the fans’ memory and always be talked about. 

For Hamilton himself, it’s the rivalry that will remain with him for a long-long time.  

“Mine and Seb’s battle were my favourite so far,” Hamilton told The Guardian. 

 “It’s knowing I was racing against an incredible driver, not only that but a great man in Seb who is a four-time world champion and we were racing against another team, he was at