Verstappen delivers seven-word response to Hamilton Ferrari title credentials

   

Max Verstappen has rated Lewis Hamilton's chances of landing the 2025 F1 title, summing the situation up in seven words.

The two drivers have not battled for a world title since their iconic, if controversial, 2021 battle which culminated in Verstappen dethroning Hamilton and is seeking a fifth straight crown in the coming season. 

Only Michael Schumacher has ever won five straight drivers' titles between 2000 and 2004, with Hamilton racing for Ferrari as he looks to break the joint-record he holds with the German of seven overall titles.

The new Ferrari SF-25 broke cover this week at Fiorano, with Red Bull's RB21 due for its first on-track running in a shakedown in Bahrain on Tuesday 25th February, the day before pre-season gets underway. 

When asked by RacingNews365 if he feels Hamilton is a legitimate title contender following his switch from Mercedes to Maranello, Verstappen had a simple response.

"It all depends on the car, right?" he said.

"I mean, we all know how good Lewis is, there's no debate on that, so, it depends on
the car. 

"When you are fighting for wins, it is always really nice and good for the sport. 

"That is why the rules were set like that, so I do hope that it is exciting and that we get a lot of different winners and teams, that would be great for the sport."