Button unsure of Verstappen win: 'Wouldn't want to come up behind Hamilton'

Jenson Button is not so sure that Max Verstappen will win the United States Grand Prix as he did in 2021 and 2022. According to the 2009 world champion, the sprint race has made it clear that it will not be so easy to get to the front, even in the very strong RB19.

In the sprint race, there were very few overtaking opportunities. This was not only because the race had only 19 laps and the rewards (in terms of points) on Saturdays are small, but also because the Circuit of the Americas is simply not a track where it is possible to make one overtaking move after another.

"The only thing that saves us for tomorrow is that Max starts sixth. And we can say 'woh, he's that much quicker than everyone, it's going to be easy'. It's not going to be easy. Overtaking here isn't easy and they proved that in this race. It wasn't very exciting because it was difficult to overtake. It's still going to be a challenge for him tomorrow. I wouldn't want to come up behind Lewis. Would you?," Button told Sky Sports.

How many tenths does Verstappen need?

Verstappen himself said afterwards that in most laps he was around three to four tenths a lap faster than Lewis Hamilton in the sprint race. A serious difference, but whether it is big enough at COTA to overtake the five cars starting ahead of him? "I think you need a bit more to overtake," Verstappen said.

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