Will there really be a fight between Hamilton and Verstappen? ''That's always a concern''

Ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are the big favourites. Hamilton has won the last four titles in a row, but with a strong winter test behind him, Red Bull Racing looks to have finally closed the gap on Mercedes.

Mercedes has held Formula 1 since the hybrid era in 2014. Ferrari came close in 2017 and 2018, but even then the title went to the Germans. In 2021, the biggest challenge will come from Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen. Peter Windsor is very much looking forward to this duel and is curious about the reactions of the two drivers.

Hamilton in a lesser car

''Lewis is working towards his eighth world title and is still very competitive. He is also self-critical, which means he is always improving. However, he is now coming off a three-day test where, in terms of mileage and performance, it didn't go well. Especially on the soft tyre with less fuel we didn't have a good lap,'' Windsor said in his new video.

The former Williams team manager states that this is a concern. ''That's always a concern for a team, because that means there are question marks that you don't have answers for yet. You assume that the basis is there with Mercedes that they will get it done, but it will be fascinating to see how Lewis deals with this. How does he deal with a lesser car? How does he stabilise the team and his own way of racing."

Verstappen on the attack

The man most expected to challenge Hamilton is Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has been seen as the crown prince of Formula 1 for years, but has never been given a chance to really fight for the title. If he does now, it will be very exciting how the battles are between these two drivers.

''Next to Hamilton you have Verstappen. That's not a match-up, because they drive very different cars, but Verstappen comes to the race after a great test. He's super fast, very relaxed, has everything to gain and nothing to lose. How they (Hamilton & Verstappen) will compare will be decisive during the first race. I can't wait to see them compete on the same tyre for the same stretch of road,'' concludes Windsor.