Hamilton, who was looking a win a record-breaking eighth world championship in 2021, was beaten in the previous season by Verstappen.
Follow Us
Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko believes that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is at the top of his game in Formula One at the moment but will not be able to keep his form at the same level for much longer. Hamilton, who was looking a win a record-breaking eighth world championship in 2021 was beaten in the final race of the previous season by Max Verstappen in what was a rather controversial event. It ended up costing F1 race director Michael Masi his job as the decisions he took greatly aided the Red Bull driver to emerge victorious.
The 24-year-old world champion Verstappen will once again face a strong challenge from Hamilton in 2022, who has all the motivation he needs to reclaim the title after the deeply disappointing finale at the Yas Marina circuit in Saudi Arabia. However, age is a factor that will begin to affect the Brit and while he might mount a strong title challenge in 2022, there is only so much that he can do from this point on. That is what Marko believes, at least.
Read More – Max Verstappen says Michael Masi was ‘thrown under the bus’ by FIA
“Hamilton delivered an incredible second half of the season,” said the 78-year-old during an interview with the OE24 website. “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.”
About Verstappen, the Red Bull advisor will only improve from this point. “He’s World Champion now and he will get stronger,” he said.
Read More – Formula One cancels Russian GP in wake of Ukraine crisis
Marko also said that he had been involved in one of his favourite winter activities, working in the forest, which he has previously stated helps him physically as well as clears his mind of motorsport matters for a few hours. Now, his focus is on Red Bull’s pre-season preparations, with the first half of their on-track testing with the new RB18 set to wrap up in Barcelona.
“I’m already focused on the test drives again,” said Marko. “Only after that can I say where we stand. We have such a gigantic change in regulations that it’s hard to get a real impression because of the simulation.”
