A Max Verstappen fan has boldly suggested that the Dutchman will surpass Sir Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher’s achievements and win more than seven world championships.
Verstappen claimed his first title last season following a tense season of racing between himself and Hamilton, during which they won 18 of the 22 races between them.
They came together on multiple occasions, drawing aggravated comments from Twitter fanbases of one driver towards the other and, between the fans at least, this has become a fierce rivalry.
Hamilton fans have persistently demanded that the seven-time world champion be awarded his eighth following the highly controversial Safety Car restart from race director Michael Masi that led to the 24-year-old’s dramatic last lap success.
The Australian has since been removed from his position and has been replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who will alternate in the role from 2022 and receive support from former deputy race director Herbie Blash and a virtual control room.
But with new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem concluding the governing body’s enquiry into the late events on 18 March – the opening weekend of the new season – it would appear almost impossible that they would even consider spinning the championship result in Hamilton’s favour, particularly as Verstappen merely took advantage of the situation Masi had created.
Now that he has claimed his maiden title, a Verstappen fan on Twitter has tipped him to win at least seven more championships between now and the end of his career.
“Max Verstappen will pass Hamilton in overall championships,” they posted.
The Red Bull driver himself has suggested that he is not overly fussed about winning more titles, insisting that the pressure is off now that he has achieved the ultimate goal and he will now simply see what awaits him.
“Not really,” he told the Guardian when asked if he has his sights set on Hamilton’s achievements.
“If I never get to a No 7 or No 8, it’s fine. You need a lot of luck to be in such a dominant position for such a long time. I just want to enjoy it and I know that, when I get to the track, I still want to win.”
Verstappen will sport the number one on his car in 2022 – the number reserved for the reigning world champion – and will continue to partner Sergio Perez, who played an important role in the Dutchman’s success last year.