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Lewis Hamilton has stated that Max Verstappen absolutely has the potential to become a Formula 1 world champion. The Dutch star debuted in F1 back in 2015 with Toro Rosso, and instantly wowed the paddock with his speed.
After just over a year at Toro Rosso, Red Bull took the decision to promote him up to the senior team, where he won on his first race for the energy drink team. Last season, Verstappen added two more victories to his tally, dominating in Malaysia and Mexico.
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When Hamilton was asked if he thought Verstappen could match his four world titles, he said: "I think it is very difficult to say, he definitely has the potential to be a world champion as we've all seen that and that is why he has such a great following.
"We've seen the way he drives and he has great potential and is in a great team. I think he is in the perfect place to continue growing. He has a long time ahead of him even with a good few seasons under his belt. I still hadn't even had my first season at 21 so he is even further ahead than me and a lot of the drivers.
"While I'm here I am going to be doing what I can to stop him winning. People won't particularly love that but that is what we are here to do, we are here to battle and I am looking forward to having some really positive battles with him, hopefully this year."
Testing for the 2018 season got underway this week, although running was limited due to poor weather conditions. Despite completing just 94 laps in his new Mercedes W09, Hamilton admitted that he is ready to get back to racing.
"We could go to Melbourne now and go for it," he said. "I want to race to be honest, In testing there is no competition and that is what I miss when you have that long, long break you just can't wait to get back to that competitive atmosphere that is Formula 1, there is nothing quite like it.
"So when you come to testing it is fun for the first half a day to get into the car and afterwards you say, ''OK, let's go'. Hopefully next week we get plenty of running."
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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