Hamilton casts doubt over Verstappen F1 achievements

Lewis Hamilton has cast doubt over the magnitude of Max Verstappen's recent achievements by claiming the Red Bull driver is yet to be challenged by a teammate.

Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton has suggested that his own teammates have posed a greater challenge across his career, having been paired with World Champions Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, as well as current teammate George Russell and race winners Valtteri Bottas and Heikki Kovalainen.

Verstappen has not been challenged since being beaten by Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull in 2016 and 2017 and is breaking record after record this term, having run away into a 138-point lead over current teammate Sergio Perez.

The Dutchman equalled Sebastian Vettel and Alberto Ascari's tally of nine consecutive victories at the Dutch Grand Prix to further add his name to the record books.

All very strong

But addressing Verstappen's achievements when speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton insisted: "I wasn't as impressed as when Michael [Schumacher] was leading, when Sebastian [Vettel] was leading, with Kimi [Raikkonen] was driving and when Fernando [Alonso] was winning.

"The whole team [Red Bull] is one of the strongest, they are firing on all cylinders right now. The car is incredible, the drivers are doing an amazing job, the pit crew, mechanics and strategy are all doing a good job, like on point and you can't fault them.

"In my opinion, all of my teammates have been stronger than the teammates that Max has had.

"Jenson [Button], Fernando, George [Russell], Valtteri [Bottas], and Nico [Rosberg].

"All of these guys have been very strong and consistent and Max has not raced against anyone like that."

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