BEST OF ENEMIES: Jenson Button (left) and Lewis Hamilton (Getty Images)
By Lee Dover | F1 betting preview
How to lose friends and alienate people, Lewis Hamilton style
Forget that Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso are preparing to do battle in a thrilling end to the 2012 Formula One (F1) season, or that Felipe Massa has remembered that his Ferrari parks in a different spot when he finishes in the top three.
There is only one talking point at the moment – the simmering rivalry between soon-to-be former McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton and his team-mate Jenson Button.
Hamilton had barely put pen to paper with Mercedes, which sees the 2008 world champion replacing Michael Schumacher from next season, before he had a misguided dig at Button.
The 27-year-old took to Twitter @LewisHamilton earlier this week:
Just noticed @jensonbutton unfollowed, thats a shame. After 3 years as teammates, I thought we respected one another but clearly he doesn't.—
Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) October 07, 2012
However, Hamilton was soon forced into a U-turn when he realised that Button had not ‘unfollowed’ him – as the McLaren driver had never ‘followed’ him in the first place.
My bad, just found out Jenson never followed me. Don't blame him! Need to be on Twitter more!—
Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) October 07, 2012
Now that the bridges are burnt it will be intersting to see how they act on the track when the Korean Grand Prix rolls around at the weekend.
VA VA VROOM: The Korean Grand Prix Circuit (Graphic Images)
While Button faces an almost impossible task to nab the F1 world championship this season – he is 63 points behind leader Fernando Alonso after all – Hamilton is 42 points adrift and could reignite his hopes of capturing a second title in with victory on Sunday.
The question is whether Button, who is 13/2 to win the Korean Grand Prix, will put his differences with Hamilton to one side and help his McLaren team-mate stay in the hunt for the World Championship.
A double podium finish at 3/10 for the McLaren pair will be keenly watched but the 7/2 for Hamilton to go it alone and take the chequered flag in Korea might be the safer play.
Either way, F1 lovers are in for a treat over the weekend when the racing eventually takes centre-stage.
