Hamilton: “The Verstappen era in Formula 1 has not yet begun”

The impression that Max Verstappen could dominate the next three years and take his world championships to five stems from the historic pattern of Formula One’s last few decades, where any team that took an early lead in each new regulation held it to the end held this frame.

The chassis has changed significantly for 2022 and the Red Bull RB18 was unbeaten in the second half of the year. And the cars for the next three seasons will each be an evolution of last year’s car, so every indication is that RBR will remain strong in the sport over the next three years – and so will Max Verstappen.

But Lewis Hamilton doesn’t think it can happen, at least not necessarily. When asked after the US GP in Texas whether we had now entered the “Verstappen era” in F1, the Brit replied: “It’s too early to tell. If we go into next year and they dominate again, then yes.

“But the Ferrari they were faster than those in qualifying. I think every single round they probably did better for most of the year. Now all they have to do is pick up the pace in the race and he will be at the top with them.”

Referring to his own hopes for Mercedes to match that level of performance and allow him to claim a career record eighth Formula One title, Hamilton concluded: “As for us, I think we have a much, much bigger mountain to climb, but I hope it’s not impossible.”

Horner: Verstappen’s virtue ‘never seen’

Beyond the car, however, is the skill – and confidence – of Max Verstappen, who seems invincible to any other driver for now. Praising the two-time Dutch world champion again, RBR director Christian Horner said there is an aspect to Max’s skills that he has never seen in any other rider.

Just hours after RBR returned to the Constructors’ Championship throne – after 2013 – with Max’s 33rd career F1 win last Sunday in Austin, Texas, Horner said: “He has a thirst in him that I haven’t seen in any other driver. He has determination as he grows and matures, reading the games surprisingly well.

After that, he was obviously very upset [χρονοβόρο] pit stop [στο Τέξας], but very quickly he controlled his emotions, lowered his head and found the speed without burning his tires. This is how he managed to make the passes that he[auf Leclerc und Hamilton]has made.[στονΛεκλέρκαιστονΧάμιλτον”[στονΛεκλέρκαιστονΧάμιλτον”concluded the Brit.