The reigning Formula One world champion has made his feelings on Mercedes clear ahead of the new season
Lewis Hamilton driving for Mercedes will make Red Bull’s rivals next season, according to Max Verstappen. The current Formula One World Champion won the season easily this year, but he anticipates a closer race in 2019.
Verstappen achieved an amazing 19 victories and 21 podium finishes in 2023, making it his best season to date. Because of his dominance on the track, the driver earned 575 points, 290 more than his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
The Dutch driver’s stellar season eclipsed his previous best of 15 victories from the previous campaign. Furthermore, his record for points surpasses Sebastian Vettel’s remarkable 155-point advantage from 2013.
Verstappen’s third consecutive victory suggests that he is only getting better and will keep outperforming his competitors for years to come. Verstappen is only 26 years old. Surprisingly, Verstappen has instead hinted that Red Bull’s competitors may cause him problems the following season.
“It will be nearly impossible to run the same season,” he said to NOS. “We will definitely work to improve our car, but the other teams have picked up a lot of knowledge from us. Though I hope not, I anticipate increased competition.
“A different team demonstrated themselves just as well every weekend. For a while, McLaren appeared to have everything under control, but they eventually faltered once more. There are decent people employed there, and they appear to know where to go.”
Verstappen acknowledged that he is cautious about several teams for the upcoming season, not just Mercedes. Additionally, the Red Bull driver identified a potential threat from two more teams that are anticipated to unsettle the pack.
Verstappen continued, “It’s automatically going to be closer together,” in reference to the season’s last races. “This past season, you also witnessed it in qualifying: it wasn’t always easy.”
Verstappen’s remarks indicate that the upcoming season will be competitive, but given his enormous bonus payments for winning the world championship, the Dutch driver will be keen to have another successful year.
