Lewis Hamilton can save Sebastian Vettel from the embarrassment of Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton can save Sebastian Vettel the blush in his battle with Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton can prevent Sebastian Vettel from seeing his race win total surpassed by Max Verstappen as the Formula 1 season enters its final three events.

Notably, Verstappen can surpass four-time world champion Vettel in total career victories – 53 – before the end of the season, despite being only 26 years old.

Meanwhile, Vettel retired at the age of 35, meaning Verstappen could theoretically beat his performance at the end of his own F1 career.

Vettel had a great career before leaving the sport in 2022, achieving most of his success with Red Bull.

The German completed a run of four consecutive championships between 2010 and 2013.

However, his total of 53 race wins could be surpassed by the dominant Verstappen, although the German driver Holland is only 26 years old and has only won three titles so far.

Red Bull’s newest superstar is on track to surpass Vettel’s achievements.
Verstappen has won 17 of 20 races in 2023.

A hugely successful season has seen the champion-elect take his career tally to 51 wins while still in charge three more races.

But if anyone can defeat Verstappen this season, Mercedes star Hamilton seems most likely to do so.

The veteran is enjoying some of his best form in over two years, when he was controversially beaten to the World Championship by Verstappen in 2021.

Hamilton was the runner-up at the Mexican Grand Prix and appears to be finding consistency after two years of struggling in the W13 and now W14.

The seven-time world champion has not won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but could come close in Brazil, Las Vegas or Abu Dhabi.

The 38-year-old beamed after finishing behind Verstappen in Mexico City.
“Honestly, I just wasn’t expecting that.
It’s just always a great feeling when you are just putting one foot in front of the other and progressing,” Hamilton told Sky Sports.

“The weekend had been really difficult compared to the last race where we had just hit the ground running.

This weekend I was really digging deep to try and get the set-up right and I think we did a great job.

“Qualifying was a bit tricky and to be far behind the Ferraris, we need to finish ahead of them to keep the constructors’ [position] so that’s what I was pushing for today.

Progress was good from the start of the race and aiming for the podium and then second place was unbelievable. I’m really happy with the race.

“With a positive mood at Mercedes, Hamilton could help old rival Vettel fend off Verstappen.