Stat focus: Sebastian Vettel vs Lewis Hamilton comparison. The stats certainly back up claims that Ferrari are quicker than Mercedes.

The 2018 championship fight between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton is turning into one of the greatest in Formula One history.

Since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, momentum has swung from Ferrari to Mercedes and back again with nobody any closer to learning who will be the first of the pair to reach five world championships. We are now 12 rounds into 2018 so it’s a perfect opportunity to take a look at how the title combatants’ first half of the season stats compare. Lewis Hamilton has taken a 24-point lead over Sebastian Vettel into Formula 1’s summer shutdown at the top of the drivers’ championship, but that does not quite tell the full story, with Ferrari having brought the fiercest challenge yet to Mercedes’ dominance of the V6 Hybrid era.

So how has Hamilton opened up no only the biggest standings lead of the season, but also the widest advantage he has ever held at this stage of a campaign before?

The stats certainly back up claims that Scuderia Ferrari are quicker than Mercedes in 2018 – Sebastian’s average qualifying position is on the front row, while Hamilton is third. But the standings leader trumps his rival in both points per race and average race finish, showing the Silver Arrows have been able to turn it on when it matters most on a Sunday.