Lewis Hamilton ‘can’t drive at this level for much longer’, claims Red Bull chief Helmut Marko, as he predicts ‘age will come into play’ at 37 years old… while rival Max Verstappen ‘gets stronger’
- Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are preparing to go head-to-head again
- The Dutchman edged his Mercedes rival in a thrilling championship last year
- Hamilton is hungry for revenge after losing in controversial circumstances
- Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko thinks the 37-year-old Brit will start to decline
Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has doubted seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s ability to keep challenging Max Verstappen, 13 years his junior.
The F1 paddock have wrapped up pre-season testing in Barcelona as all eyes turn to Bahrain on March 20. Hamilton topped the time sheets in Catalonia, with Verstappen half a second back as last season’s title rivals get to grips with their brand new cars.
Verstappen edged Hamilton in the greatest title fight of the modern era last season, which was tragically overshadowed by the final lap controversy in Abu Dhabi. Hamilton is out for furious revenge in 2022.
Lewis Hamilton is out for blood in 2022, aiming to take the F1 title back from Max Verstappen
The Dutchman stole the championship on the final lap, but is 13 years the Brit’s junior
The 37-year-old Brit has vowed to push Verstappen even harder, claiming ‘if you thought last year was my best, wait till you see this year.’
Verstappen, who was 10 years old when Hamilton made his F1 debut, will give no quarter once again – and the man who signed him to Red Bull believes his Mercedes rival’s days at the top are numbered.
‘Hamilton delivered an incredible second half of the season,’ Marko told Austrian outlet OE24.
‘I can hardly imagine he can drive at this level for much longer. He’s at his zenith now, age is slowly coming into play.’
Red Bull chief Helmut Marko is doubtful that Hamilton can continue battling the younger man
Hamilton has made a strong start in pre-season testing as drivers get used to their new cars
On Verstappen, he added: ‘He’s World Champion now and he will get stronger.’
Though all eyes will be on the Dutchman and the Brit in Bahrain, Mercedes and Red Bull’s monopoly isn’t assured.
Hamilton and Verstappen seemed to be in an altogether different race to the other 18 drivers for most of 2021, but F1 purists will be hoping to see the gap shrink.
Ferrari and McLaren have both shown promising signs in pre-season testing, while George Russell and Sergio Perez will be hoping to make life more difficult for their team leaders.
There is a fresh threat to Hamilton from inside his team with the promotion of George Russell
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