Battle between Hamilton and Verstappen nears denouement: 'It's tricky'

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have seven races to go in the battle for the world title. Although the end of the season is approaching, Otmar Szafnauer said at the FIA press conference that he finds it hard to say which driver will take the win.

The difference in the world championship between both drivers is very small. Hamilton has 246,5 points, his competitor has two points less. During the Turkish Grand Prix, however, the Briton will receive a ten-place grid penalty for replacing his combustion engine, giving Verstappen a chance at victory.

"It's tricky," the Aston Martin team boss judged the battle for the world title. "Hamilton is very experienced and knows how to win championships. Verstappen however is very fast. So we'll have to wait and see how this plays out. We still have a quarter of the season left. After that, we'll know."

Mercedes decided this weekend not to replace Hamilton's entire engine, putting the German racing stable at risk of running into trouble at the end of the season. However, the remainder of the season will have to tell if Mercedes' decision works out.