Formula 1: Could Max Verstappen Be The Ultimate Rival For Lewis Hamilton; Poses Challenge Unlike Anything Seen Before For Seven-Time World Champion

Max Verstappen

Aiming for his record-breaking eight world title, which would make him the ultimate GOAT, Lewis Hamilton would have never thought that a 24-year-old would become this big of a barrier. Hailing from the Netherlands, Max Verstappen has been an absolute beast this season. While everyone had seen glimpses of the Dutch earlier in 2020, this version of Verstappen is just different. His aggressive winning mentality, his composure over his aggression and the car he has this season is unlike anything Lewis Hamilton has faced.

Mercedes and Hamilton have been cruising to victory in recent years and the records are there to show. The Brit has won the World Championship 5 times in the last 6 years, the only year he was not able to secure the world title was in 2016 where his teammate Nico Rosberg won the Championship by just five points in the very last race. Since then, no other driver on the grid has been able to compete with Hamilton, until now.

Can Max Verstappen win the World Championship this season?

Red Bull’s star driver is the ultimate test for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes and so far, they have failed to cope up with the Dutch’s aggressiveness and his approach towards every race. With the pace Verstappen has, he could well be on his way to win the title this season as he currently leads the Championship standings with 12 points, a lead which he will be looking to extend next weekend as the Formula 1 action returns to Mexico.

FS Video

https://youtu.be/VofGMAgo9Is

Max Verstappen has been on par with Hamilton at every track this season, even at Silverstone which was Hamilton’s home ground, the Dutch was very fierce. While at his own backyard, Verstappen was simply unstoppable as he roared with the orange army after converting a pole position into a routine win.

Winners at @COTA in the turbo hybrid era:

2014 – Mercedes
2015 – Mercedes
2016 – Mercedes
2017 – Mercedes
2018 – Ferrari
2019 – Mercedes

2021 – Red Bull

What. A. Drive. ???#USGP #F1 https://t.co/YwuD460EIf
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) October 24, 2021

In an era of Lewis Hamilton, where they have been simply very dominant, everyone thought it was next to impossible to stop him. Max Verstappen at such a young age, has already turned things upside down.

POS	DRIVER	NATIONALITY	CAR	PTS
1	Max Verstappen	NED	RED BULL RACING HONDA	287.5
2	Lewis Hamilton	GBR	MERCEDES	275.5
3	Valtteri Bottas	FIN	MERCEDES	185
4	Sergio Perez	MEX	RED BULL RACING HONDA	150
5	Lando Norris	GBR	MCLAREN MERCEDES	149
6	Charles Leclerc	MON	FERRARI	128
7	Carlos Sainz	ESP	FERRARI	122.5
8	Daniel Ricciardo	AUS	MCLAREN MERCEDES	105
9	Pierre Gasly	FRA	ALPHATAURI HONDA	74
10	Fernando Alonso	ESP	ALPINE RENAULT	58
11	Esteban Ocon	FRA	ALPINE RENAULT	46