Verstappen frustrates Hamilton's plans: 'The next few races will be great'

The United States Grand Prix is this year dominated by the battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Where both drivers have balanced each other this season, at least one statistic speaks in favour of the Dutchman. Emerson Fittipaldi sees that too.

The two-time world champion knows that Verstappen has led for 469 laps, while Hamilton follows with 133. With those numbers alone, the Red Bull Racing driver deserves to be world champion, but Fittipaldi knows there's more to Formula 1 than that.

"That shows that he is very competitive on different tracks and in different conditions," the former driver assessed in an interview with Motorsport.com. "But I'm sure Lewis and Mercedes will work hard to win this year. The next few races will be great to watch."

Verstappen said several times this week that missing out on the world title will not cause him any major disappointment. Fittipaldi understands the remark of the frontrunner in the world championship very well. "I don't know exactly what he said, but when you're at the level of Lewis and Max, you know that if it doesn't work out this year, you have another chance next year to go fast and be competitive. He knows this won't be his last chance at a championship."