Lewis Hamilton is ‘NOT ready to hand over his F1 title-winning baton to fierce rival Max Verstappen’, insists Martin Brundle… as he SNUBS Sebastian Vettel while ranking F1’s best drivers
- Brundle says Lewis Hamilton not ready to hand over his F1 title to Verstappen
- Brundle credited Hamilton’s work ethic considering all of his achievements
- He also snubbed Sebastian Vettel, claiming he was not among the elite drivers
Martin Brundle says Lewis Hamilton will not hand over his Formula One title to Max Verstappen without a fight.
Verstappen currently holds a lead of eight points with two races to go but Hamilton is eager to secure a record eighth crown.
Brundle believes it will be difficult for Verstappen to overthrow Hamilton as he says the Brit still has ‘the same motivation and work ethic’ that saw him rise to success in the first place.
Brundle says Lewis Hamilton will not hand over his F1 title to Max Verstappen without a fight
When asked whether he thought Hamilton and Verstappen’s rivalry was down to the changing of the guard, Brundle said: ‘I do – but one guard doesn’t want to move over does he?
‘Lewis is 37 in January and he’s got all the glory, all the money. I think I described it as a trophy warehouse he must have by now – it’s not a room is it, or a cabinet?
‘He still seems to have all the same motivation and work ethic, work-rate and determination I’ve ever seen him have.’
Verstappen (left) currently holds a lead of eight points with two races to go but Hamilton (right) is eager to secure a record eighth crown
Brundle believes it will be difficult for Verstappen to overthrow Hamilton as he says the Brit still has ‘the same motivation and work ethic’ that saw him rise to success in the first place
Brundle also snubbed Sebastian Vettel, claiming the four-time world champion was not among the elite class of Formula 1 drivers.
Brundle refused to name Vettle in his top five drivers given he has struggled for form since 2018 when he finished second in the World Championship behind Hamilton.
‘If you were to do a top five on the grid now, I don’t think Seb would be in it,’ said Brundle.
‘His best is behind him. In wheel-to-wheel combat, he’s sometimes missing something. It’s been a bit like that in recent years, it must be said.
‘Then there are races like Hungary where he sees the opportunity to go for it.’
Brundle also snubbed Sebastian Vettel (above), claiming the four-time world champion was not among the elite class of Formula 1 drivers
When asked to reveal his top five, Brundle said: ‘Lewis [Hamilton], Max [Verstappen], then I would say Lando [Norris] and Charles Leclerc,’ the 62-year-old said. ‘Who would be my fifth driver?
‘It could be George [Russell]. Maybe Sergio [Perez], I might even go Carlos Sainz or Fernando [Alonso], actually.
‘Fernando definitely belongs in there now he’s back on top form, but in any which way I cut it, I don’t include Seb.’