Formula One Max Verstappen: Beatable Lewis Hamilton is good, 'but he is not God'

Lewis Hamilton

Verstappen: Beatable Hamilton is good, 'but he is not God'

Max thinks he can challenge the Brit in 2020

Martin Macdonald

Sunday 9 February 2020 10:30

Max Verstappen reckons Lewis Hamilton can be got at in the 2020 Formula 1 campaign if Red Bull provide him with a good enough car, saying the six-time world champion is not a “God”.

The Dutchman enjoyed the best season of his career in 2019, winning in Austria, Germany, and Brazil, as well as earning his very first pole position in the sport. He finished third in the drivers’ championship but was some way behind Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton in the end.

For him, he believes he can put up a better fight this campaign if Red Bull’s car matches up to Mercedes’.

"Of course, it is very car-dependent in Formula 1," Verstappen said.

"Lewis is very good. He is definitely one of the best out there. He is not God, maybe God is with him, but he is not God.

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"When you can put the pressure on it is a lot harder for the guy in the lead. If he never really has pressure, he can drive at 97 or 98 per cent and then you never make mistakes.”

"If we start the season within two tenths (of Mercedes), we can mount the pressure.

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"I am looking forward to when we get that fight and if we are really close, I am pretty sure we can do better."

He recently signed a new long-term contract with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2023 season, and he thinks it was important that any speculation on his future was put to rest so he can concentrate on his racing.

"It is a good thing my future is sorted because it takes away any doubt," the 22-year-old explained.

"There are no question marks any more. When you go into a season and your contract is up at the end of the year, at one point it is going to be a bit awkward. I didn't want to have any of that.

"This is the right place. I see the motivation and hunger to fight for victories and a championship. Looking at this year we want to mount a challenge to Mercedes and I think we can do that."