Max Verstappen spoke about his former rival for the 2021 title, Lewis Hamilton, who is having a complicated time at Mercedes, apart from his recent podium in Las Vegas.
Lewis Hamilton is experiencing an up and down season with a complicated start to the season, then a return to form this summer with two victories, before a difficult end to the season again.
The seven-time World Champion suffered in particular in Qualifying, largely dominated by George Russell. A failed Q3 prevented him from competing for victory in Las Vegas even though the Mercedes had the fastest car.
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Verstappen: “I don't think he will ever lose [ses capacités]”
However, according to Max Verstappen, there is nothing alarming, believing that it is mainly motivation that was lacking in Lewis Hamilton, knowing that he was going to join Ferrari next year.
“I don’t think he’ll ever lose [ses capacités]”Verstappen told the PA news agency. “He accomplished so much. It's a new challenge for him next year. He will be very, very motivated to show that he is a seven-time World Champion. But it will depend on the equipment he has.”
“It was difficult for him [Hamilton] to fully motivate himself this year because he knew he was going to leave the team. I think as soon as he had this competitive car and there was a chance to win, you could see that he really increased his performance level. Then there were races where the car was difficult and he said 'whatever'.”
In the championship, Lewis Hamilton is only in seventh position with 211 points, one place behind George Russell who has 235 points on the clock. In terms of victories in 2024, however, the two Mercedes drivers are tied with two victories each.
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