Max Verstappen

Hamilton 'only concerned' with Verstappen

Martin Macdonald Tuesday 20 August 2019 15:33

Dutch driver Tom Coronel believes that Max Verstappen represents the only “concern” for Lewis Hamilton this season, and has backed his compatriot to go all-out for championship glory in 2020.

Hamilton has been the dominant force this campaign as he has won eight out of the opening 12 races, with Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas winning two races each. Verstappen’s form took an upturn in the races before the summer break, and Coronel thinks if he can keep it up then he could represent the only championship threat to Hamilton.

"Max and Red Bull are in a good flow and Max will do everything he can to show that the title belongs to him in 2020," the Coronel said to Motorsport.com.

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"You already notice that Max is busy with that fight in the background and that also goes for Lewis. He also knows that Max is the only one who can handle him at the moment and he is only concerned with Max.

“If Verstappen can exploit that even more, then you put the pressure on the boiler at Mercedes and Hamilton for 2020."

However, Coronel reckons that a 2020 title assault for Verstappen is dependant on the engine package he receives from Red Bull and Honda.

"I can't see what they are doing at Mercedes, Red Bull and Honda, but you can tell by everything that they smell that chance of a title, and if you can smell it then you also want to reach them,” he added.

“The positive atmosphere comes in and that is all very good. However, it must also happen."