Verstappen: 60% of F1 field would win the championship in a Mercedes

  • Published on 23 Dec 2019 09:19
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Max Verstappen has stated that Mercedes' dominance is strong enough to allow 60% of the F1 drivers on the grid to win a world championship with the team.

Mercedes clinched its sixth drivers' and constructors' titles in a row, as it continues to be undefeated in the turbo-hybrid era. 

Lewis Hamilton emerged victorious from the 2019 season, finishing 87 points ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas.

It marked Hamilton's fifth world championship with Mercedes, with the 2016 title going to Nico Rosberg, who retired days after the conclusion of the season.

Verstappen acknowleged the speed and skill of Hamilton - but highlighted that much of the championship success depends on the strength of the car.

"I am just confident to say that it would have been the same for me if I had been in that car," Verstappen told Ziggo Sport.

"60 percent of the drivers in the field would become world champion in a Mercedes. It just depends on the car.

"He is definitely very good and is one of the best Formula 1 drivers of all time," the Dutchman added. "But you can beat him."

When asked to list some of the remaining 40 per cent who wouldn't win even with a Mercedes Verstappen replied: "I'm not going to say that."

"I think Lewis has been doing an incredible job, but so have Mercedes," he said. "You can't be world champion if you don't have a good car."

Red Bull will be hoping it can start the 2020 campaign on the front foot, having lacked pace at the start of the season for the last handful of years.

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • I sort of get what he's saying but it ignores the fact you actually have to beat Hamilton as a teammate over a season. Doesn't happen very often. On this basis it would be much fewer than 60% of the field could win a championships as his team mate, I'd say Max could, probably Leclerc, Ricciardo, but struggling after that to think of another with the speed over one lap, the consistency in a race, the consistency over a whole season, the lack of errors.

    • + 0
    • Dec 24 2019 - 07:57
    • People keep saying that about the Mercedes, but people forget Ferrari had the best car the second part of the season. They also forget Bottas also had a Mercedes, is he not part of that 60%. I agree with those you mentioned, first Ricciardo and the Max and Charles. As for others,, I think there is lots of unproven championship potential: Sainz, Pérez for example.

      • + 0
      • Dec 24 2019 - 08:40
    • abhidbgt

      Posts: 283

      I agree. But Ferrari had the best car in second half? Far from it they had a good qualifying car but not so good race car.

      • + 0
      • Dec 27 2019 - 02:25

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,056
  • Podiums 79
  • Grand Prix 165
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (25)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar