Mercedes tip Verstappen as a champion of the future

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says it is clear that Max Verstappen will be a future champion as he continues to mix it at the front of the grid. Verstappen was denied consecutive victories at the Brazilian Grand Prix by colliding with Esteban Ocon, but Wolff says the experience will stand him in good stead.

Verstappen endured a miserable, error-prone start to 2018 – admitting he "f***ed up" in the period – but his form since Monaco has been excellent.

Only three drivers – Lewis Hamilton and the Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen – have stood on the podium more times than Verstappen this season, the Dutchman has 10 top-three finishes, including two victories, to his name.

And Wolff says it is starting to become clear that Verstappen will be a major player in years to come.

He said: "In Max you can see there is a future champion coming together - unbelievable talent and speed.

"And I think once the raw edges are off he will be somebody that would be a champion one day.

Sweet time piece ???????????? @Max33Verstappen designs his own special edition @TAGHeuer ???? #DontCrackUnderPressure pic.twitter.com/37MOjoDXSk — Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) November 14, 2018

"In a few years he would look at the [Ocon] footage and maybe have his own opinion whether that was the right behaviour or not.

"But you can't accelerate these things. This is a learning process."

Hamilton put up no fight as Verstappen charged through the field at Interlagos, but was the ultimate beneficiary when the Dutchman was spun by his contact with Ocon, something that Wolff puts down to his driver's greater experience .

"Lewis was very clear that Max was not the enemy," Wolff said. "It was about trying to beat the Ferraris.

"When Max appeared like a missile behind him it was clear that he wouldn't fight him unnecessarily to lose race time, but trying to make it to the end of the medium tyre.

"So it is totally irrelevant from Mercedes' side who would have won. The objective was to stay in front in front of the Ferraris."

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