MILTON KEYNES, England (Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton’s domination of Formula One is “getting a bit boring” and the time is fast approaching for the younger generation to take over at the top, says Red Bull youngster Max Verstappen.
Toro Rosso Formula One driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands looks on in a pit lane during the third testing session ahead the upcoming season at the Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmelo, Spain, February 24, 2016. REUTERS/Sergio Perez
The Dutch driver hopes he and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, also 22-years-old, will be fighting for the Mercedes driver’s throne next year.
“I think it’s good for the sport to have the young guys now coming up and hopefully taking over very soon,” Verstappen said ahead of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, the first race since Hamilton clinched his sixth title in Texas.
“It’s getting a bit boring seeing Lewis win, so we have to try and change that,” he added at an event to announce a personal sponsorship with pan-European online used car marketplace CarNext.com.
Verstappen has 100 starts and seven wins to his name since becoming the sport’s youngest driver and next season he could yet become the youngest champion.
Hamilton, who can equal Michael Schumacher’s record seven titles and surpass the great German’s 91 wins, will be 35 in January.
“He’s getting older … so for sure it will stop at one point,” said Verstappen.
“It’s just going to depend on the team, to be honest. It’s not going to depend on Lewis.
“If Mercedes keeps building really dominant cars, for sure he’s going to win. So we just have to make sure as a team that we can beat them.”
Verstappen said engine partners Honda had a breakthrough year in 2019 and he was confident former champions Red Bull, third overall, could be in the mix in 2020.
“I think we are on the right path. When you see the engine power compared to Mercedes and Renault, we are very close to Mercedes now so that is very promising for next year,” he added.
CarNext.com Chief Executive Ewout van Jarwaarde said Verstappen and his company were both disruptive forces in their own arenas, but the driver was eager to douse the flames of recent controversies.
In Texas last month he labeled comments by Hamilton after a Mexican Grand Prix clash as “disrespectful” and “silly” while accusing Ferrari of cheating.
“It’s a very sensitive subject, so for me I try not to go there anymore,” he said when asked about words that angered Ferrari. “I prefer just to go ahead, leave everything behind … just focus on Brazil.”
Of his relationship with Hamilton, Verstappen said the Briton was “very special and definitely one of the best drivers ever” and said he had never really had a problem with him.
“We talked on the grid (in Austin). I respect Lewis, of course, but we are also hard racers and sometimes it can be a bit more tough. But we talked and it’s all good.”
Verstappen recognised he had made mistakes this year, despite a strong and consistent season, but would not have it any other way.
“Everybody makes mistakes, otherwise it’s better to put a robot in,” he said. “It’s good to make mistakes as well, you learn from it.”
He said he was happy at Red Bull, despite speculation he might one day replace or join Hamilton at Mercedes.
“I really want to win with Red Bull,” he said. “I really feel at home, which I think is also very important for a driver — that you feel appreciated.”
Editing by Peter Rutherford