Verstappen ready to challenge Hamilton: "He's not God"

Ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen is ready to challenge Lewis Hamilton for the title this season, acknowledging the Brit's many achievements but also stating "he's not God".

Verstappen is coming off the strongest season he's had so far in F1, winning three races in 2019 while also getting pole position twice (or three time if you count Mexico) as he finished third in the championship.

Many are expecting the Bulls to be closer to the competition from the start of the season this year, with Honda's progress with their engine development looking very promising for the team.

At a Red Bull team event on Monday, Verstappen expressed his confidence in his own team to provide a title-winning car as he's ready to challenge the dominant Hamilton, who can beat Michael Schumacher's legendary record of 91 Grand Prix wins in 2020.

“It’s very car-dependent of course in Formula 1," the 22-year-old told media including Reuters.

“Lewis is very good. He is definitely one of the best out there, but he’s not God. Maybe God is with him, but he is not God.

“We really want to mount a challenge to especially Mercedes and I think we can do that."

Verstappen's confidence in Red Bull is expressed by the Dutchman signing a long-term contract at the team, tieing him down until 2023.

The eight-time Grand Prix winner seems ready to put in the work to become the youngest champion in F1 history in 2020, with the current record-holder being Sebastian Vettel in 2010.

“I’m very much looking forward to it, everybody’s fired up and everybody’s very motivated. Coming off last year, at the end, we were very competitive.”