Ickx syas Verstappen will 'eventually' beat Hamilton
Nov.19 - Lewis Hamilton will "eventually" be beaten to the title by 2021 championship rival Max Verstappen.
That is the view of Jackie Ickx, an iconic Belgian former Formula 1 driver who commented as the stewards delayed their verdict in Mercedes' "right of review" hearing until Friday.
Reports suggest the FIA officials deliberated for "hours" before delaying, as Mercedes pushed for a retrospective penalty to be applied to Red Bull's Verstappen for his turn 4 defence in Brazil.
Verstappen, 24, said in Qatar on Thursday that he thinks he did nothing wrong.
"As a driver, I think we know exactly what we can and can't do in the car," said the Dutchman.
"I don't need to see the footage because I was driving the car and I know exactly what happened," he added when asked if he had reviewed the 'new evidence' of his on-board camera.
Verstappen even hit out at seven time world championship Hamilton for taking the "easy option" of pointing the finger after the clash.
"It's quite simple and easy to blame the younger driver. That's the only way I can see it and all I really have to say," he said.
The Dutchman also suggested the episode reflects poorly on Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss who appeared to be highly emotional last weekend in Brazil.
"Now we see the nature of the beast emerge," he said.
Many of the championship leader's rivals are also shrugging at the FIA review.
"Lewis won the race. So why go through all of this?" wondered quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel.
"It's unnecessary. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't."
Daniel Ricciardo added: "Maybe Max's move was a little too hard, but when it comes to a world title, you fight until the last corner."
2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen said: "There was nothing crazy about it - they didn't even touch.
"I think I've seen worse things."
Haas rookie Nikita Mazepin said Mercedes' mere act of pushing for a retrospective penalty "upset me a little, first of all as a fan".
"I'm a big fan of the 90s, 2000s, when the races were real and these battles took place on the track rather than in the stewards' room," said the Russian.
And Fernando Alonso said: "The last race is over, so nothing should change here now.
"My opinion is that if the stewards did not issue a penalty, that's where it ends."
Curiously, though, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc believes the lack of a penalty for Verstappen opens the door for other drivers to now employ the same sort of tactics.
"If that is allowed, it will be really difficult to pass anyone on the outside now," he said.
As for the F1 legend Ickx, he is rising above the affair to suggest that no matter the outcome, it is clear that Hamilton will eventually be beaten by his younger rival.
"If it isn't this year, it will be next year, or the one after that and so on. It's inevitable," the 76-year-old former Ferrari driver told RTBF.
"But I'm also frustrated with the current rules in Formula 1. For me, philosophically speaking, it should be a fight, a battle between men who willingly take the risk.
"I am frustrated because these events are refereed by people who are certainly of good will, but who - apart from a former driver at each grand prix - have probably never driven a racing car.
"We shatter the very essence of the combativeness of these drivers with a succession of penalties, fines and constraints which fundamentally change the sport.
"I am sorry to see us so far removed from the pleasure of this communion with the public. Formula 1 should remember - no audience, no fans, no race."
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Mercedes, Lewis, even Leclerc: a bunch of wusses that hope to win by keeping the best man down. What a spectacle!
Hey, if we are going to reopen the stewards' calls, let's reopen Lewis' attempt to kill Max at the British Grand Prix.
Then, Jacky is right... Max has emerged as the only driver capable of beating Lewis, it's only right, and to be expected that he would win the championship.
😄 well look who finally composed themself to chime in. Found the nerve to comment now eh Poster child? After the depressing weekend Hammer caused you. Lol.
Still waiting on the rest of your kind to start yapping again.
Glad to catch your attention, but I was just saluting Jacky Ickx. Last time I chatted with him was at the 1968 Canadian Grand Prix driver's banquet where he gave a little speech in honor of Jack Brabham. Sadly Jacky broke a leg in qualifications the next day and missed the race.
Those were the days.... Drivers concentrated on driving and were gentlemanly, they even wore normal clothes, no skirts or froufrou see through blouses. You should have been there.
Now, to answer your effete comment. Yes, I am a little disappointed. Once your hero finally got to pass Max, the race instantly turned into a boring parade and reminder of the days where Lewis' MB was unbeatable. I was tempted to switch to the curling channel for more excitement.
If any of about 15 drivers had Lewis' car he would have won by a mile. Everybody knows this, except you.
Nice to hear from you!
Lol. Oh the hubris of a simplistic mind. But do carry on. 😏
C'mon, TP, Mr. Ickx is inevitably correct, "If it isn't this year, it will be next year, or the one after that and so on. It's inevitable," the 76-year-old former Ferrari driver told RTBF." Question is not 'if', it's 'when'. Maybe just a bit more exact on the prognostication?
'68 at Mont Tremblant, you were there? What were you wearing? Maybe I saw you there. :)
Actually ROR, in terms of raw performance, Max already surpassed Lewis this season. If it had not been for the Azerbaijan puncture or Lewis' attempt to kill Max at the British GP, Max would be around 60 points ahead as we speak.
I don't condone re-writing races and the official results are THE results. So don't worry, ROR, Lewis will go down history as one of the greatest drivers of all times who mostly had the best car by far and no competition until Max came along.
BTW, at he '68 Mont-Tremblant driver's banquet I wore grey flannels and a blue jacket, white shirt and pink tie... Jack Brabham signed my place card, I still have it. I don't recall seeing you there...
Hamster and Toto are playing the " dont pick on us card "easy to play the hard done to/down trodden, trouble is..... max wont play the game and the public are bored of Hamish
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