Hamilton admits Verstappen has done ‘exceptional job’ as F1 stars pay tribute to champion
Hamilton admits Verstappen has done ‘exceptional job’ as F1 stars pay tribute to champion
Lewis Hamilton has offered up some rare praise for Max Verstappen regarding the Red Bull star's incredible 2023 season.
Verstappen is on the verge of securing his third consecutive drivers' championship title as he heads into the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix. The Dutch driver is poised to clinch victory in Saturday's Sprint race, requiring just three more points.
Following his contentious loss to Verstappen in the intense 2021 title battle, seven-time world champion Hamilton has seldom expressed admiration for his rival.
But Hamilton – along with several other drivers – is resigned to the fact that Verstappen will win the title in the remaining six races, which is something he can only applaud.
Verstappen season has been 'exceptional'
“He’s definitely not had to do any defending for this one," Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.
"But he’s done an exceptional job, you know he’s been faultless and no one can take that away from him.”
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has been similarly impressed by the Dutchman's dominance in 2023.
“He’s had another incredible season where he’s been there in every condition on every track," he said.
"Yes, they have the best car, but he’s truly an exceptional driver and he just deserves it because he’s the one driving the best out there at the moment.”
Sainz: We must challenge him
Leclerc's team-mate Carlos Sainz, who is the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race this season, believes Verstappen hasn't been pushed as much as he should have been by rivals this year.
“I just wish we can get closer to him next season and challenge him and put him a bit more under pressure because we cannot let him get away with it so easily as it’s been recently for him," he told Sky Sports F1.
Fernando Alonso, who knows what it takes to win more than one world championship, also paid tribute to Verstappen.
“Breaking so many records, of consecutive victories and other things. Big congratulations to him," he said.
"On Saturday you will ask me the same question and I will congratulate him again. It was an excellent season.”
READ MORE: Verstappen fastest as track conditions cause issues in Qatar Grand Prix practice
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F1 Standings
Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Australia 2023
- Grand Prix of China 2023
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
- Miami Grand Prix 2023
- Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
- AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
- Grand Prix du Canada 2023
- Grand Prix of Austria 2023
- Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Italy 2023
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
- Grand Prix of Japan 2023
- Qatar Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of the United States 2023
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
- Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
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