Pressure on Verstappen: 'Together with Hamilton the favorite'

The Formula 1 world is gearing up for another battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton this calendar year. Where the Dutchman emerged the strongest from the fight last season, Riccardo Patrese expects him to face another big challenge in 2022.

Hamilton and Verstappen remained very close to each other in 2021 until the last race. Only on the last lap did the Red Bull Racing driver manage to pass his direct rival and thus secure himself his first world title in Formula 1.

Patrese expects Verstappen to have a good chance of winning the world championship again in the new year. "Together with Hamilton he is the favorite, both for half," the former Formula 1 driver let us know in conversation with La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Verstappen improved a lot in the last two seasons and he has achieved a lot of nice results. In that respect he has matured."

Hamilton hopes for world title

Behind the scenes, Hamilton is reportedly still hesitating to continue in Formula 1. Should he be in the race again in 2022, he has a clear goal in mind. The Briton could take his eighth world title, which would make him the most successful driver ever in the sport.