Hamilton willing to bet Verstappen over F1 win record
Hamilton willing to bet Verstappen over F1 win record
Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton is willing to bet that 2023 world champion Max Verstappen will win 18 to 19 races this season.
Verstappen's victory at the Mexican Grand Prix was his 16th of the season, breaking his own record of 15 set in 2022.
As the season nears its climax, Verstappen stands on the verge of becoming the first driver in F1 history to surpass the 500-point mark in a single season.
The Dutchman currently holds 491 points with 86 still up for grabs in the remaining races.
Despite Verstappen's remarkable success, Mercedes and their star driver Hamilton have maintained their competitive spirit, securing a second-place finish at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
However, the Briton is confident Verstappen will continue to set new milestones.
"Hopefully, these next couple of races will be close," said Hamilton to the media.
"But I'd probably put money on it that [Max] will get to 18, 19 [wins] with that car."
READ MORE: Unstoppable Verstappen is a MAJOR PROBLEM for F1
The seven-time world champion's podium place in Mexico City closed the gap to his drivers' championship rival, Sergio Perez, to a mere 20 points.
"It definitely gives us a lot of confidence," said Hamilton.
"I mean, last year, at the same time, we were doing the same thing, but last year, I think we were three-tenths behind Max in qualifying or something like that and I came second, but he walked off with the win.
"So we're really just mirroring what we did last year, so we have to make some real big changes for next year."
Eyes on 2024
The 38-year-old also managed to snatch the fastest lap away from Verstappen as he crossed the finish line, providing further evidence that the gap to the 2023 constructors' champions is shrinking.
"Obviously in Bahrain earlier this year, they were 1.5s a lap faster than us, at least," Hamilton recalled.
"So the key is to make sure that is not the case in Bahrain [for the 2024 season opener]."
With F1 heading to South America this Sunday, Red Bull will be hoping that their drivers can string together at least a combined 35 points to break Mercedes' record for the most points won in a single season (765 in 2016).
READ MORE: Why Adrian Newey is the BEST and WORST thing to happen to F1
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Vettel announces F1 return as FIA single Mercedes out for Miami checks - GPFans F1 Recap
- 2 hours ago
F1 team announce SHOCK signing weeks after rival departure
- 3 hours ago
Former team boss quizzed on role in Newey's Red Bull exit
- Yesterday 21:57
RB reveal STRIKING new livery ahead of Miami GP
- Yesterday 20:57
EXCLUSIVE: Insider claims F1 Academy and W Series couldn't co-exist
- Yesterday 19:57
Wolff delivers big verdict on Hamilton behaviour
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
Hamilton salutes New York after making F1 HISTORY
Ecclestone ATTACKS Hamilton 'ego' after Ferrari move
Hamilton beats Verstappen and host of legends to key title
Former F1 chief suggests Ferrari making WRONG decision in Hamilton-Sainz switch
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860