Championship leader Lewis Hamilton suggested that he was more worried about Mark Webber's experience than Sebastian Vettel's raw speed in the 2010 championship tussle, saying that Webber "has the experience" needed to beat him to the title.
Hamilton stepped into the championship lead after taking his third GP win of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, with Webber coming home in second place to remain just three points behind the 2008 champion in the title battle.
Vettel meanwhile had an awful weekend, crashing into Jenson Button and then picking up a puncture from Vitantonio Liuzzi's Force India during his attempted recovery drive.
And Hamilton suggested that Vettel was still lacking something, saying that the youngster was "still learning" in the sport.
"I don’t know what he’s lacking," Hamilton said after the Belgian weekend, "He’s got very likely the fastest car. And so there’s no reason for him not to be up the front. But he’s still learning and there’s still a lot to learn."
Hamilton said that he now saw Webber as his main rival, suggesting that the 34-year old was using his experience of racing well now he was in a title-winning car.
"Mark has the experience and it’s showing," Hamilton mused when asked about his title rivals.
He also dismissed any suggestion that McLaren might be preparing to install him as the default team leader, despite Button's retirement in Belgium leaving him some 35 points behind Hamilton in the championship.
"It is not something McLaren ever do," Hamilton shrugged when asked about a team pecking order, "And I agree with it.
"The rate which we needed to develop as a team, I think if they’re giving me 100 per cent and they’re giving Jenson 100 per cent then we’re going to improve twice as fast. I’ve just got to continue doing my job.
"As long as my guys do their job, which they always do, then I don’t need anything else."
He added: "If they’re giving you all they can, then that is enough. I don’t think by taking the focus off the guy next to me that will help."
Button reiterated his team mate's belief that the team was not ready to focus on a single driver.
"We will not do that," he whined when asked if the team had plans to look to Hamilton alone for the 2010 championship, “The constructors’ championship is as important as the drivers’ championship.
"I don't fear either of us will miss out on the title by approaching it the way we are. But if we do, we do – we are here to go racing."
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