Button: Verstappen faster than Hamilton in qualifying

Jenson Button has an idea why Alexander Albon seems so far back at Red Bull Racing. According to the 40-year-old Brit, it has everything to do with the skills of Max Verstappen. Button also states that the 23-year-old Dutchman is even faster than Lewis Hamilton over one lap.

"I think they did things differently with their young drivers compared to the previous season", says Button in the Collecting Cars podcast. According to the former Formula 1 drivers, Red Bull has been very tough in recent years, especially for Pierre Gasly. "I think that's why they're taking it slower with Albon now."

Max fastest driver in the world

Certainly, Albon does not drive at the desired level, but Button states that Verstappen makes the difference seem very big. "His biggest problem is that his teammate is the fastest driver in the world at pure speed."

Verstappen adjusts the RB16 completely in his own way. "That is with a lot of downforce in the nose and relatively much oversteer. Verstappen adjusts the car in such a way that it is uncontrollable for other drivers".

Verstappen in select company

According to Sky Sports' analyst, Verstappen in qualifying is faster than Lewis Hamilton. Whether that is the case in the race, he does not dare to say. Button thinks that Verstappen and Hamilton are currently the two drivers who outperform the rest. Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo follow in Button's view from a short distance.