Hamilton highlights Verstappen threat in title battle: 'I imagine Max will be a big contender'
Photo: Race Pictures
15:41, 02 Jul
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Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Lewis Hamilton believes Max Verstappen remains a contender for this year's Formula 1 drivers' title, but also stressed that Mercedes currently holds a clear advantage.
"I think other than me going into the Mercedes garage and undoing the bolts," Hamilton laughed at the FIA Press Conference at the British Grand Prix when asked whether he could realistically win this year's drivers' title.
"Look, I mean, Mercedes is a phenomenal team. You see them perform at such an amazing level. It's really beautiful to see when a team's fully, fully in synergy and what they've brought and what they've done this year is mighty. And I think it's going to take a huge amount for anyone to close them down."
The Briton also believes that Verstappen is bound to remain a contender thanks to the updates Red Bull Racing introduced for the Austrian Grand Prix. He continued: "You've seen now also Red Bull have really taken a step. They made a massive step in the last race. So undoubtedly, I imagine Max is going to be a big contender, and he's got the power also to match the Mercedes."
Photo: Race Pictures
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He continued: "I anticipate they're going to be really strong. I think it's just, as a team, we have to just continue to believe, continue to just stay calm and keep working. We just have to extract everything we can from each weekend and even possible a little bit more than maybe what performance-wise is possible. And then there are going to be some tracks where it neutralizes a bit, like I would imagine Budapest might be a little bit of a closer battle because it's not got any long straights. We need more of those sorts of circuits, to be honest."
Hamilton and Ferrari will continue to push
The seven-time world champion also highlighted that they will continue to work hard. "I think it's also too early. I mean, Kimi [Antonelli] is far ahead. There is still a lot of points ahead and he pulled some more points ahead in the last race. So that's why I said it's a good reality check for us, but it's not over till it's over. Every single person is so geed-up and pushing as much as they can, so that's all I can ever ask for."
Entering the British GP, Antonelli leads the drivers' standings by 40 points ahead of George Russell. Hamilton is in third place, 46 points behind.
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British Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
03:30 PM
Saturday 04.07.26
Sprint Race
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Sunday 05.07.26
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02:00 PM
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
Fri 03:30 PM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 171 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 131 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 125 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 80 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 79 | |
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7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 73 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 42 | |
9 | AlpineALP | 41 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 30 |
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