Verstappen better than Hamilton: 'He's hungry from all the waiting'

Hamilton under pressure

Hamilton has won six world titles in the last seven years and is chasing his eighth world title in total in 2021. This would allow him to break Michael Schumacher' s record, but after a strong winter test by Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen appears to be a prime candidate for the title.

''Everyone’s quick to look for any chinks in the armour of Lewis Hamilton. He’s just parted company with his right hand man and friend, Marc Hynes, who’s gone off to pursue other opportunities; he only got his contract done five weeks ago; he’s only signed this year for Mercedes – is he thinking that it’s eight and out? He’s talked about it often enough, he’s achieved everything he wants to achieve,'' Simon Lazenby says to Radiotimes.

Verstappen the best driver

''If he beats Michael Schumacher, will he walk away? I think he will. But it’s between him and Max. If Red Bull start fast, we’re in for a really, really good championship. To see those two hammer and tongs every weekend, our audience will love that. I’d go as far as saying that I think Max is the best driver on the grid. And I don’t mean that out of disrespect for Lewis, you cannot doubt what he has done. But Max is just, there’s just something about him that he drags everything out of that Red Bull and more.''

In doing so, however, the Sky Sports presenter does not want to sell Hamilton short. ''And Lewis does, but I feel that Max, his hunger, because he’s had to wait so long is enabling him to just exceed perhaps that of every other driver, or has done over the last year. He’s so good wheel-to-wheel and he’s quite aggressive as well, which I love,'' concludes Lazenby.