Former F1 driver David Coulthard has slammed the "nonsense" over arguments regarding Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver controversially beat Hamilton to the 2021 world title following the dubious finale to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but has since dominated the sport. He retained his crown with room to spare last season, and is now on the brink of a 2023 title with a 177-point lead in the championship.
Verstappen has taken the chequered flag in 13 of the 16 Grand Prix races this year, whilst Hamilton has floundered with Mercedes struggling in F1's new era of regulations. The seven-time world champion does lie third in the standings, but hasn't registered a race win in almost two years.
And yet much scepticism still surrounds Verstappen's ability, given the nature of his maiden title win and the fact that Red Bull are clearly superior in pace to their rivals. But Coulthard, who now works as a pundit for Channel 4, has rubbished suggestions that the 26-year-old is below the levels of a prime Hamilton.
“If I just bring it to Max for a moment,” he said, speaking to Eddie Jordan on the Formula For Success podcast. “I’ve seen all sorts of comments where people are going, ‘you know, he’s overrated, he’s not at the same level as Lewis', and this is just nonsense.
David Coulthard fires warning at Red Bull and Mercedes over Ferrari 2023 chances
"Just look at what he does with that car. And with the greatest respect to Checo ( Sergio Perez ), who is a very talented, fast race driver, he looks average in comparison to what Max has been able to deliver when he’s really on it.”
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Max Verstappen has dominated Lewis Hamilton - and F1 - since his controversial 2021 title win (AFP via Getty Images)Indeed, Perez, 33, was tipped to challenge his teammate for the title this season after winning two of the opening four races. However, that notion hasn't materialised, with the Mexican only managing six podium appearances since.
This weekend's Qatar Grand Prix represents a chance for Verstappen to secure his third title, and he won't even have to wait until the race itself on Sunday. A top-six finish in Saturday's Sprint Race will be sufficient to give him an unassailable lead.
Even a seventh-placed finish would be enough if Perez finishes second, while eighth would suffice if his partner can only cross the line in third. The constructors' title has already been wrapped up by Christian Horner and co in Japan last month.
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