Sir Lewis Hamilton is a “better” Formula 1 driver than Michael Schumacher was, but Max Verstappen will be even better than the Brit, according to ex-F1 racer Johnny Herbert.
In a broad interview about this season’s Championship battle between Verstappen and Hamilton, Herbert said he believes it’s normal for drivers to get better over generations, saying “it’s just another evolution of the driver skillset.”
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Speaking to RacingNews365.com, he said: “He [Verstappen] will be better than Lewis, and Lewis was better than Michael, from my perspective, it’s just another evolution of the driver skillset.
“That is what Max gives to me, he excites me, he gives me a visual stimulation when I’m watching TV or I’m at the racetrack.
“That’s what the buzz should be all about, and a lot of race fans will get wowed because the wow factor is, ‘I couldn’t do that!’, and that’s what it’s all about. I like him for that,” he added.
Continuing, Herbert said he thinks Hamilton is currently better than Verstappen, but his edge over the Dutch ace is unlikely to last for long.
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“I still feel Lewis has the edge at the present time, but it won’t be long before that’s on the other foot,” Herbert added.
“Verstappen is still a young man and has a wealth of experience to come his way. And he will be better than Lewis, but it’s not quite yet, for me. Not quite yet, but it ain’t far away!
“He’ll be pushing himself massively to get the championship done and, if he gets it this year, that’ll be the changeover button already done,” he concluded.
Hamilton currently leads the Drivers’ Standings, but Verstappen is just eight points adrift and will be eager to bounce back from the bad luck he suffered at Silverstone and the Hungaroring once Formula 1 resumes later this month.
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