Purple Bull Dutch driver Max Verstappen expects Lewis Hamilton to be “decided to show why he’s a seven-time World Champion” as he prepares for his debut season with Scuderia Ferrari within the upcoming F1 championship.
Lewis Hamilton’s transfer marks the top of an period with Mercedes, the place he constructed a legacy that included numerous victories and titles. Now, the Briton is ready to rekindle his rivalry with Max Verstappen whereas navigating a contemporary problem on the Scuderia. His ultimate yr with Mercedes noticed a mixture of highs and lows, together with two long-awaited victories that bookended a season marred by inconsistent performances. Persistent struggles with the unpredictable W15 in qualifying left Lewis Hamilton trailing George Russell 18-5 of their head-to-head battles, resulting in introspection about his personal efficiency.
Regardless of this, the Dutchman believes Lewis Hamilton’s uneven yr stemmed from his focus shifting to the alternatives awaiting him past that marketing campaign.
In a latest interview for British on-line newspaper The Impartial, Max Verstappen instructed that Lewis Hamilton confronted challenges staying absolutely motivated throughout the 2024 Components 1 season, understanding he was leaving Mercedes. The Purple Bull man famous that the British driver appeared to raise his efficiency at any time when the automobile was aggressive and profitable was potential, however in races the place the automobile struggled, he appeared much less engaged.
Max Verstappen dismisses claims of age affecting Lewis Hamilton’s efficiency
Some have speculated that Lewis Hamilton’s challenges in persistently delivering robust single-lap performances is likely to be linked to the inevitable results of age, with the driving force now in his 40s. Nonetheless, Max Verstappen has rejected the notion that Lewis Hamilton’s age will hinder his pursuit of a historic eighth Drivers’ Championship throughout his upcoming tenure with Ferrari.
The present Components 1 champion expressed confidence that Lewis Hamilton would by no means lose his edge, emphasizing the unbelievable achievements he has already secured. He famous that the British driver’s new problem within the 2025 Components 1 marketing campaign would doubtless gas his motivation to show himself as a seven-time World Champion.
Lewis Hamilton’s future triumphs hinge on Ferrari’s efficiency
Since their thrilling championship battle within the 2021 F1 season, the 2 F1 legends have hardly ever confronted off immediately on monitor, largely as a consequence of Mercedes‘ struggles with the present era of ground-effect automobiles.
Given this, the Dutchman has identified that Lewis Hamilton’s ultimate chapter in Components 1, now with the Maranello staff, will largely depend upon whether or not the Scuderia can ship a automobile able to competing on the entrance of the grid.
The Purple Bull driver due to this fact concluded that Lewis Hamilton’s success, very like that of his Maranello teammet Charles Leclerc, would finally depend upon the standard of the gear at his disposal.