Lewis Hamilton asserts that Max Verstappen and Red Bull deserved the dominant title triumph

Lewis Hamilton applauded Max Verstappen's efforts with Red Bull to win his third World Championship in an extremely dominant 2023 campaign.

Lewis Hamilton asserts that Max Verstappen and Red Bull deserved the dominant title triumph

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has had the most dominant Formula One season of all time, winning nineteen of the 23 races up for grabs in 2023. Verstappen continued his championship streak that began in 2021 when the Dutchman beat reigning champ Lewis Hamilton under controversial circumstances.

Hamilton himself did concede that Verstappen deserved the title, applauding the dominance of the 26-year-old driver. The Briton said that Red Bull and Verstappen deserved the title after an amazing season for the Milton Keyes-based team. Hamilton said he didn’t think Verstappen had broken a sweat all year, considering the incredible lap times from the 3x Champion.

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You can go through the lap times and some of the data from Max; he is just chilling at the front more often than not. I don’t think he has broken a sweat during the year. Ultimately, they have done an amazing job and worked and deserve it.

Lewis Hamilton said, as reported by firstpost.com

Lewis Hamilton has been in a dry spell since his defeat to Verstappen in 2021, failing to win a single race since then. The Mercedes driver has a renewed contract, in hopes that the 8x Constructors Champions will give him a record eighth title of his own, with teammate George Russell to help him.

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Lewis Hamilton admits doubts over performance after another winless season

Lewis Hamilton suffered another season without a single race victory for the second time in his career, for the second time in a row. After finishing in his worst-ever championship position in sixth in 2022, Hamilton could not turn his luck around in 2023, finishing behind both Red Bulls in the championship. 

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton (via Sky Sports F1)

Ultimately, when you have difficult seasons like this, there are always going to be moments when you’re like: ‘Is it me, or is it the car? Do you still have it? Has it gone?

Fortunately for Hamilton, he does have an extended contract with Mercedes and managed to finish far ahead of his teammate George Russell in 2023. The 7x World Champion has managed to cross the line in P2 four times this year, and with Mercedes bringing drastic changes to their 2024 W15, Hamilton could improve to the top podium step next year.

The Briton is now 38 years old, and critical comments have arisen in recent months, with claims that he is past his prime. Though Hamilton has explicitly stated that he still has the drive to fight for an eighth title, the Mercedes driver did concede that there were some doubts regarding his performance, especially after two difficult seasons.

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