Sebastian Vettel says he recognised the potential in 2017 title rival Lewis Hamilton the first time their paths crossed as youngsters in karting.
Despite winning seven of the last nine world championships between them, this year is the first time Vettel and Hamilton have properly faced off for a title. The pair are easily the most successful drivers of the modern era and have enjoyed dominant spells either side of the current V6 turbo era.
Both men were highly rated when coming through the junior categories but took different routes into F1 -- Hamilton won the 2006 GP2 feeder series before stepping up to McLaren, while Vettel was leading the 2007 Formula Renault 3.