Lewis Hamilton has not won an F1 race in over two years, and Max Verstappen has been left to run amok at the front while Mercedes is unable to compete with their Red Bull rivals.
Lewis Hamilton is “definitely good enough,” according to Jenson Button, to win more Formula 1 races and championships.
That’s in spite of David Coulthard’s doubts about the seven-time world champion’s ability to challenge Max Verstappen for those titles. While his Dutch rival has won three straight championships, Hamilton hasn’t won a race in over two years.
Although he has two more years left on his current Mercedes contract, which he signed earlier this year, he will turn 39 next month. Additionally, former racer Coulthard questions whether Hamilton still has time to compete at the highest level.
“This isn’t Lewis at his best,” the Channel 4 analyst declared. “Lewis has been underperforming for the past two years, which is incredibly frustrating. It will be fascinating to watch if he can recapture the former Lewis magic once he obtains a winning vehicle.”
Only one race was lost by Red Bull in 2023, compared to Verstappen’s 19 victories out of 22. It seems like a tall order for all of their rivals to overcome the Dutchman and his all-conquering team.
2009 world champion Button expressed to AFP his conviction that Verstappen’s team will once again lose the 2024 championship. “Next year, Red Bull will lead the pack once more,” he declared.
“They were able to work on the car for next year because they had a strong car this year. The problem is that, simply by glancing at the race results, one might conclude, “Oh, Max Verstappen won again.” However, if you watch the races in person, this year has produced some incredible races.
“Max hasn’t gotten everything his way. Although he ultimately prevailed, this season has seen some incredible fights. The year has been enjoyable for me. Would it please me if more people won? Of course, yes. But it hasn’t actually occurred.”
Although Button maintains that “it’s not going to be easy to beat Max,” he is equally confident that Hamilton still possesses the abilities and motivation to challenge Verstappen in a car that can support him in doing so. “Lewis wouldn’t race if he didn’t think he was good enough,” the speaker continued. With the correct vehicle, Lewis has the ability to win races and a championship.
Although facing Max is challenging, I’m looking forward to the fight if both Lewis and Max are in well-fitting cars. It is my hope that it will be before Lewis retires; he is more than capable of doing so.”
