F1 News: Lewis Hamilton 'Afraid Of Only' One Driver, F3 Star Says

Sir Lewis Hamilton has been the biggest name in Formula One in recent times, but according to F3 star Tom Coronel, there’s one driver who could actually exceed the seven-time world champion.

In a recent interview with RacingNews365, Coronel weighed in on Hamilton’s career. Based on the Dutch driver’s assessment, Hamilton is “afraid” of only Max Verstappen, the lone Formula One star who possesses the qualities to “dethrone” the Mercedes superstar sooner in the future.

“Lewis [Hamilton] is only afraid of [Max] Verstappen,” Coronel said. “That’s the only driver who scares him. Max is the only one who can dethrone him and Lewis is all too aware of that. He knows it won’t be [Daniel] Ricciardo or Bottas who are going to hurt him. Max and Lewis are by far the best drivers in F1 at the moment, so I understand 100% that he wants a veto. ”

“Max is in Lewis’ head and that’s dangerous for a driver,” the former F3 major winner added. “Now he has the advantage of the best car, but within one team you don’t. Lewis knows he will be defeated by Max, that he will eventually dethrone him.”

Coronel added that Verstappen is on the same level and is “worth as much as” Hamilton, only nearly 15 years younger.

“[Verstappen] is the man of the future, the champion of the future who still has a long period ahead of him in F1. Lewis, on the other hand, knows he has only been at the highest level for a few years,” he said.

To this day, Hamilton and Mercedes have yet to seal a contract extension and the issue has turned into a saga.

Adding an even more bold thought about the matter, Coronel suggested that it is highly likely that Mercedes might make a swoop for Verstappen soon, something Hamilton wouldn’t want to happen.

“Mercedes are still very interested in Verstappen, they don’t make a secret of that,” the 48-year-old pointed out. “We know there is regular contact. What we also know is what Lewis wants. He wants a [Valterri] Bottas next to him and not Max. He’s looking for a driver who’s just a little less good, which doesn’t bother him. Of course, Lewis is not waiting to be dethroned by another Mercedes driver.”

Verstappen is still with Red Bull racing and is expected to clash with Hamilton again this season. For Coronel, the face-off between the two perennial F1 superstars is a race to look forward to as the 23-year-old has the edge to possibly beat the British legend.

“Max vs. Lewis, it will be equally exciting for both drivers,” the veteran driver concluded. “Max will certainly not destroy Lewis, but he can beat him. He is young, fresh and completely focused. In addition, he has an unprecedented drive and the extreme will to win. Max has everything to win and is not yet a champion – he will be in time.”