Verstappen: Any top driver would win with Hamilton's car
Max Verstappen says any top driver would have won the 2018 world championship in Lewis Hamilton's car.
Hamilton, whose title win in Mexico delivered his Juan Manual Fangio-equalling fifth drivers' crown, says the battle against Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel this year was the toughest of his career.
But when asked what made Hamilton so good in 2018, Mexico grand prix winner Verstappen answered: "His car!"
According to Blick newspaper, the 21-year-old continued: "Of course he is extremely good.
"But Vettel could win with his car, Ricciardo could win with his car, I could win with his car."
Red Bull will get works Honda engines to try to match Mercedes in 2019, but Verstappen thinks it could be the change of rules for 2021 that is his best chance.
"Then I will be 23. And I will still have six, seven years to win world titles. Hopefully by then I will be a four time world champion. That would be great," Verstappen said.
Dr Helmut Marko thinks the Red Bull-Honda combination could be enough for a title challenge as soon as 2019.
But Verstappen thinks that will happen "only with a magical chassis".
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
Vettel had the best car this year Max? The Ferrari was quickest and he didn't win? Lewis's records speak for themself that's why he is a 5 time champion. Have some respect.
Little kids of today, speak out without thinking first. The achievement of Lewis hammer Hamilton speak for themselves. Alain prost acknowledgement is proof enough, not to say all championship drivers gave Lewis is due, but little max verstappen which has not yet won a championship has an opinion to say that is very amusing and totally disrespectful. What is this world coming too. Mr max verstappen please first learn how to walk steadily before you make comments like that
Couldn't agree more. No doubt the boy can drive but he's got a very short memory. By Monaco this year he was the most careless driver on the grid and in fact smashed his car in the identical barrier this year to the one he wrote his car off in 2017. In Baku, frankly he could have killed someone and in China he took Seb out with another man lunge. He's more dangerous than Senna ever was and not quite as good as his ego (and his Dad) tells him that he is. He should continue to learn his craft and wind his neck in rather than being disrespectful and making observations which are wide of the mark. Had Max been in the Merc or even the Ferrari this year he wouldn't have won because by Monaco he'd have ruled himself out of the Championship.
Yes, Vettel's mistakes denied him the championship, Kimi is a 1st class racer and often (along with Vettel) had the faster car this year. I really like Max but this remark smacks of envy and frustration. Top drivers don't stick it in the wall or smash into other cars too often either.
I think Sebs mistakes made it impossible to beat Hamilton this year but you have to look at the support that he got from the team too. Anyone can make a mistake, even the best drivers but it's easier when you feel the need to over-reach because you are not getting what you need from the team. In terms of Max he's starting to turn into a fairly divisive character with his lack of respect and his immature view of his place in the world order. It didn't go un-noticed that he didn't even list Alonso as one of those capable drivers and even included Daniel, who is very good but the jury is still out on his ultimate ability. And I suppose by Verstappens logic by putting Daniel into that line up and then beating him comprehensively this year makes Max even better in his own mind.
If Max ever get into a winning position in the Championship he may just come to realise that his "elbows out" approach doesn't work quite the same as it does when you have nothing to lose as is the case presently because some of his contenders may employ the same tactics. And even that pre-supposes that he does injure himself or someone else on the way to his goal and I do fear that is a real possibility.
Shame Max really thinks his gung ho driving style means he is unbeatable. The truth is others get out of his way because they know if they dont he will damage their car,he has crashed and bashed other cars over the last 3 years. one thing about the really top drivers is for any of them to do such stupidity is unknown. dream on Max.
Not really true. Top drivers did and do drive recklessly, and occasionally deliberately so. Senna and Schumacher have both done that. There was a controversial Renault incident which was also regarded as deliberate. Kamui Kobayashi and Pastor Maldonado got nicknames Kobacrashi and Crashtor. Mark Webber named Grossjean "a first lap nutcase." Also "Lewis Hamilton's 2011 season is also worthy of a mention. He managed to run into his teammate in Canada, Kamui Kobayashi in Belgium and Felipe Massa on several occasions.
Speaking of Massa, he's had his moments, too..."
Mercedes have very recently, openly, speculated and accused Ferrari of deliberate crashes. I used to dislike Verstappen intensely, particularly after he was used to demote Kvyat. But, now that this board appears to have declared an open season on him I, true to my instinctive siding with the underdog(s), support him.
Totally Agree with max just add the name Alonso as well as a top driver
Look how Hamilton struggled with a competitive team mate with Rosberg a couple of years ago
I concur!