Opinions are flying on who has the edge between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen ahead of the new Formula 1 season.
Once again it is the Briton who starts the year as world champion and can go on to match the great Michael Schumacher’s record of seven F1 titles in 2020.
But Verstappen is the man on the rise and is expected to take the fight to Hamilton, with the gap closing between Mercedes and their rivals.
When analysing the two drivers, however, 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg believes any suggestion the Dutchman is now faster than his former teammate is off the mark.
“Max is the one guy in F1 who is on a similar level to Lewis,” he told the PA news agency.
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“He has that very rare exceptional talent that Lewis has – a once-in-a-generation talent – and if he has the right car, there is no question he will be a contender for the championship this season.
“But you cannot say that Max is a better driver than Lewis. Lewis is going on to become the best of all time so you cannot say that at all.”
When it comes to who’ll be the man to end Hamilton’s stint at the top in F1, however, former supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes it will be the 22-year-old.
“It’s good that there is someone like Lewis Hamilton,” he was quoted by GPBlog.
“It’s the same as with Muhammed Ali in boxing, people want to be there when he is defeated so they can say ‘I was there when he lost’.
“Who will knock him off his throne? Not just beat him, but give him a lesson in racing? There is one driver who can and will certainly do that and that is Max Verstappen, absolutely. There are more contenders, but he will certainly do it.”
At this point though, Rosberg does think that moment is coming in 2020, even if he thinks it will be closer.
“Lewis is the absolute favourite to win the championship, but I have really high hopes that we can be in for a thrilling season,” he declared.
“I am confident and optimistic that Red Bull and Ferrari can up their game and be on a level playing field with Mercedes.”
