Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have been great rivals over the years. Their rivalry that hit boiling point back in 2021 helped in popularizing the sport. It was the Dutch racer back then who dethroned the seven-time champion to claim his maiden title. Since then, the Red Bull driver never had to look back until this current season. He won and dominated the last two championships. No other driver came close to stealing it away from him. The reigning champion won 15 races in 2022 when the current ground effect regulations came into play, and the cost cap era started.
Later, he broke his own record for most wins in a single season, as Max won an incredible 19 races last year. His teammate Sergio Perez, even with the same car, managed to chip in with just a couple of wins in 2022 as well as in 2023. This season, the Dutch driver started brilliantly again. He had won seven of the first ten races. Checo didn’t win any race in the ongoing season so far. But in the last six GPs, Verstappen failed to win. Now, he feels that title expectations are unrealistic.
Lewis Hamilton Laughs Off At Verstappen’s Comments
Currently, Red Bull is in deep trouble because McLaren is only eight points behind them and there are still eight more GPs to go this season. The Austrian team has not managed to win a single race in the last six rounds. Back in Monza, Italy, Max Verstappen finished at P6. Lando Norris is much less than 70 points behind the Dutch driver in the Driver’s Standings. Then, there are Ferrari and Mercedes as well who have managed to catch up to Christian Horner’s team in the last six Grands Prix. This situation has made the Dutch driver react in a bit pessimistic way. Max Verstappen is seriously doubting his and Red Bull’s chances of winning either of the Driver’s or Constructor’s titles this year. In the last two seasons, the Milton Keynes outfit did not have to worry about it.
Lately, Lewis Hamilton told the media, including PlanetF1.com, that Verstappen is still quite far ahead of the rest. Currently, F1 teams are working on achieving their goals at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ahead of that race, the seven-time champion mentioned, “Unrealistic for Max? It’s his opinion. However, he’s pretty far ahead.” Previously, the aforementioned source quoted Max Verstappen, saying, “It is not realistic for us if we keep performing like we did in Monza.” He believes the team has to deliver much better than they have been doing lately. They need to find a better balance with the RB20 car to get more competitive. But then, Max said, “However, if more competitive is enough, I doubt.”
Max Verstappen Facing Serious Competition From Rivals Is Good For F1, Feels The Seven-Time Champion
Currently, in Formula 1, four different teams have won races this season. Lewis Hamilton feels it is great that there is fierce competition on the grid. He said, “It is amazing as it is how things should be.” The seven-time champion said when the governing body sets the rules they expect competitive races. Even though that’s their ultimate goal, things never really work out as per plans.
Hence, as F1 reaches a stage where McLaren is rising steadily, Ferrari won the last race, then Mercedes won a few before, Hamilton believes that’s great for the sport. Finally, the seven-time champion added that he hopes to see the fierce competition stays constant in the remaining races of the year.
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