Lewis Hamilton is without an F1 race victory in more than two years with Mercedes not competitive with their Red Bull rivals, while Max Verstappen has been left to run riot at the front
Jenson Button is adamant that Lewis Hamilton is “definitely good enough” to win more Formula 1 races and titles.
That’s despite David Coulthard questioning whether the seven-time world champion still has what it takes to fight Max Verstappen for those honours. Hamilton has not won a race in more than two years while his Dutch rival has secured three successive championships.
He turns 39 next month but has two more years to run on his current Mercedes deal, signed earlier this year. And former racer Coulthard wonders whether time is running out for Hamilton at the very top level.
“This is not Lewis at his prime,” said the Channel 4 pundit. “This is Lewis in a very frustrating two-year state of underperforming. When he gets a winning car again, it’ll be really interesting to see if he can rediscover the old Lewis magic.”
Red Bull failed to win only one race in 2023 while Verstappen himself tasted victory 19 times out of 22. Toppling the Dutchman and his all-conquering team looks to be a tall order for all their rivals.
Addressing AFP, 2009 title holder Button clarified his conviction that the 2024 title will again be Verstappen’s group’s to lose. “Red Bull will be at the front in the future one year from now,” he said.
“They had areas of strength for a this year and they’ve had the option to deal with the following year’s vehicle. The thing is, in the event that you simply take a gander at the consequences of the race, you go, ‘Gracious Max Verstappen won once more’. Be that as it may, when you really watch the races, there have been a few astounding races this year.
“Max hasn’t had it all his own specific manner. He’s dominated the competition eventually however there have been a few extraordinary battles this season. I have partaken in the year. Could I like more individuals winning? Indeed obviously. However, it’s simply not worked out.”
And while Button insists “it’s not going to be easy to beat Max”, he is similarly certain that Hamilton still has the skills and the drive to take the fight to Verstappen if given a car capable of allowing him to do so. He added: “Lewis wouldn’t race if he didn’t think he wasn’t good enough. Lewis is definitely good enough to win races and to win a championship – with the right car.
“Coming up against Max is difficult but if Lewis is in a car that suits him and Max is in a car that suits him… I look forward to that fight. Hopefully we will see it before Lewis retires, he’s definitely got the ability to do that.