Manager Verstappen: "First and foremost a world title is needed"

Max Verstappen will be up against seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton this season. It's easy to draw comparisons with both drivers, but his manager Raymond Vermeulen sees a number of key differences between the two men from Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.

The English driver has made a name for himself in recent years. Verstappen has not yet succeeded in doing so. "True. First and foremost he needs a world title," Vermeulen told de Limburger. "In the end it has to happen on the track. It's going well, but we're certainly not there yet. That's why the focus is completely on the performance on the track. That's what we're here for; those are the conditions we're trying to create for Max."

Vermeulen, however, thinks Verstappen will never become the same person as Hamilton. "When Lewis was as old as Max, he wasn't nearly as outspoken as he is now. So it is difficult to estimate that. What is clear is that with Max, what you see is what you get. Max is and wants to be a Formula 1 driver in the first place. He will never be like Lewis; in that extreme form. Max is not the person for that."

Hamilton has to compete with Verstappen this season. While the Dutchman only won the race in Imola for now, Hamilton conquered the other three races. Verstappen therefore hopes to close the gap in the world championship again in Monaco.