Hill: 'Hamilton on his way out, Verstappen is now the F1 grid's target'

17:15, 16 Dec

Updated: 18:55, 16 Dec

byNorberto Mujica

Damon Hill notes a changing of the guard as according to the former F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton is on his way out of the sport, and Max Verstappen now becoming the target for the F1 grid.

“You’ve got Max, who is again, I think considered by nearly everyone as, in the same way that Michael [Schumacher] was, he’s considered to be the target, the guy that is almost unbeatable."

- Damon Hill.

Max Verstappen competing for Red Bull Racing - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Speaking on the Drive to Wynn podcast, Hill highlighted the level of the current F1 grid, which holds many world-champions in the making in its ranks who, according to the former Williams driver, will undoubtedly realise their potential, as seven-time champion Hamilton currently faces the exit door.

“Lando’s world champion, Oscar is, as you said is clearly world championship material," Hill said. "There’s plenty of other drivers in there that are world championship material who will materialise.

“You’ve got some on the way out. I mean, how long Lewis can keep going, I don’t know, but Fernando is still punching above his age.

“You’ve got Max, who is again, I think considered by nearly everyone as, in the same way that Michael [Schumacher] was, he’s considered to be the target, the guy that is almost unbeatable," Hill said likening Verstappen to F1 legend Michael Schumacher.

“He can be beaten, it’s just a question of getting the [right] circumstances.

“So the quality of the field is really important. You don’t want to win a world championship where everyone says well, your opponent wasn’t worthy,” Hill emphasised.

Hill warns Verstappen is only getting better

The 1996 F1 champion had a few more words to say about Verstappen, admiring his 'millimetre perfect' precision. “He’s incredibly precise," Hill said.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever watched him do a qualifying lap around somewhere like Suzuka, which is a terrifyingly fast track.

“He is millimetre perfect, and he can put his car right on the very edge of the track, which you need every single millimetre of track you can get to get the best line, and he does that," Hill continued.

“His precision is incredible, his eyesight must be extraordinary, considering the amount of time he spends in front of his TV screen on a computer, it’s amazing he’s got any eyesight at all.

“But you need that you and he’s only 28 as well as I said, he’s coming into his prime,” Hill concluded with a daunting claim that may put the Dutch driver's rivals on edge.

Hill: 'Sometimes the best driver doesn't win the title'

Hill highlighted Verstappen’s late-season surge, cutting a 104-point deficit to two with consistent performances under pressure, arguing that sometimes the best driver doesn’t win the title despite Lando Norris clinching the championship, in conversation with Sky Sports. Read his full comments here.

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