The Dutchman was very impressive this season as he minimised the damage while battling with an inferior Red Bull for most of the year.
Verstappen built an advantage in the opening 10 rounds, winning seven at the start of the year before going on a winless run until the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in November.
He has built a reputation for being very difficult to pass, and Jenson Button urged Lando Norris to rewatch his duels with Verstappen ahead of next season.
Giedo van der Garde told the DRS: De Race Show YouTube channel that Verstappen is operating at such a high level he feels only one driver can match him.
Lewis Hamilton has endured a frustrating three seasons at Mercedes as they have struggled to adapt to the ground effect regulations introduced in 2022.
The British driver has taken two wins this season, including an emotional triumph at the British Grand Prix to score his first win since Saudi Arabia in 2021.
He also inherited victory at Spa-Francorchamps after his teammate George Russell was disqualified for his car being underweight.
Mercedes haven’t been consistently fighting for wins since Hamilton’s season-long championship battle with Verstappen in 2021.
Van der Garde explained he feels Hamilton is the only one that can match Verstappen but he isn’t completely sure.
He said: “I saw the Lewis Hamilton again that I want to see and the struggles he had in the last race that he didn’t progress in qualifying, races and the car had not done things everywhere. This was that one again, really the first time of ‘ok now you see another killer’ that only Max could handle Lewis Hamilton.”
Van der Garde responded with being ’80%’ sure when asked if Hamilton is the only one that can dethrone Max Verstappen.
“He is too old purely just for one lap. Race pace is pure experience and you still have that race pace. Just one lap where you have to get the most out of everything and as you get older the sharpness goes.”
Hamilton is switching from Mercedes to Ferrari for next season to partner Charles Leclerc as he aims for a record-breaking eighth world championship.
The British driver is currently tied with German Michael Schumacher who won titles with Benetton and Ferrari over his career.
| Pos | Driver | Championships | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Schumacher | 7 | 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | 7 | 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| 3 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 5 | 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 |
| 4 | Alain Prost | 4 | 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993 |
| 4 | Sebastian Vettel | 4 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | 4 | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
Ferrari have improved significantly this year and are in contention for the Constructors’ Championship while battling McLaren.
Hamilton may lack raw speed in qualifying but he showed very strong race pace last time out at the Las Vegas Grand Prix to finish second after starting in 10th place on the grid.
The British driver should be revitalised at Ferrari if they are at the front of the field and consistently being able to challenge for wins.
