Can Verstappen break all records? "He certainly has the same potential."

Lewis Hamilton is at lonely heights when it comes to points in this season's championship. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing follows at an appropriate distance. Verstappen and Hamilton have long been seen together as the big stars in Formula 1 at the moment. Can Verstappen take over from Hamilton?

Norbert Haug was once ex-motorsport boss at Mercedes. Under him, the German team achieved many successes. In an exclusive interview with SPORT1, Haug explains what makes Hamilton so special: "For centuries it was inconceivable that Michael's (Schumacher) record, the only species in his world, would ever be reached or even beaten. What Lewis has shown for 14 years in terms of consistency and power in Formula 1 is simply unique and unprecedented. And in my estimation, it will probably never be repeated".

Verstappen for the future

At the age of 35, Hamilton will probably not be on the Formula 1 stage much longer. Haug clearly sees similarities between the older Hamilton and the up-and-coming Verstappen: "He certainly has the same potential and strength. In Formula 1 there are only very good and very, very good drivers. Lewis and Max belong in the second category. And - funnily enough - if there were only very good drivers on the grid in the current Formula 1 World Championship, the races might be more exciting. But in most cases, it's all about four tyres and two drivers."