Webber optimistic about Max's chances: "Have to see if he doesn't explode again"

Formula 1 is about to go into its third race of the season, and although things are very exciting in the midfield as well, it seems like the battle of the titans between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is all that matters now. Not that this is really surprising, after countless seasons where the world champion has basically been decided in advance.

Respect for Mercedes

However, former Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber thinks things will be different this season. He sees something at Red Bull that he hasn't seen in a long time. "They've never been more ready. They know they have a great chance, they know they have to be very precise and always be ready for the fight because Lewis doesn't give you a second chance," he told Marca.

The Australian sees that the right ingredients for success are in place at his former team. "They have the right man in the cockpit. In the last race we saw what they are capable of in the pit stops.... Mercedes are not the best at this, although of course they are a great team. Red Bull expects to win, but they have the greatest respect for Lewis and Mercedes."

Can Max handle the pressure?

Asked for his opinion on whether Max can handle the pressure for a championship fight at all, Webber revealed, "It's a question of maturity. I'm optimistic, but we have to see how it goes. He has a lot of confidence in himself and I don't think he will feel much pressure seeing himself leading the championship. He has a lot of personality. At times we've seen him implode, but I think he's learned in that sense although we'll have to wait and see if he explodes again."