Max Verstappen has predicted that Lewis Hamilton will finish second in the 2024 Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
The reigning world champion led from start to finish at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix with teammate Sergio Perez making his way from fifth to finish second.
Mercedes had a difficult weekend in Bahrain with Hamilton finishing seventh while his British teammate George Russell claimed fifth.
In spite of what could be a long season for Mercedes, Verstappen still thinks Hamilton will finish behind him in the drivers’ championship and left our his teammate Perez from the top three, rather going for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
“Me, then Lewis, and then Charles,” was the Dutchman’s response when asked his top three driver picks at the end of the season in a Q&A session with Viaplay.
First trophy of 2024 ???? pic.twitter.com/VOECI4zZk8
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 3, 2024
Verstappen went on to say that McLaren’s Lando Norris will win a long-awaited race this year while tipping tipping himself to win 12 out of 24 races compared to the 19 wins he claimed out of 22 races last year.
“Twelve,” he responded. “If it becomes more I can always say I did a better job.”
The F1 paddock heads next to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday.
