Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are arguably the best drivers on the Formula One grid at the moment, and the fierce 2021 title fight proves it. Although the latter won his first world championship title, that doesn’t necessarily mean his rival is any weaker.

The pair have been at their absolute best since the start of 2021 and the entire racing fraternity is aching to see the electrifying rivalry extend itself into the forthcoming season as well. However, the chances of that happening entirely depend on the factories of Red Bull and Mercedes.

Team principal, Christian Horner, acknowledged that Red Bull must build a powerful enough challenger for Verstappen to take his fight to Hamilton again in 2022. What’s more, the Briton is also certain that, with a decent car in hand, nobody would be able to stop Verstappen, as he is currently ‘the best driver in the world’.

What did Horner say?

Speaking to Talk Sport, the Red Bull boss opined that Verstappen could’ve won a lot more trophies had he cherished the luck of Hamilton during the early part of the hybrid era.

While Hamilton had much superior Mercedes cars in hand, Verstappen had to battle his way through Toro Rosso and a struggling few years with Red Bull to clinch his first title.

“What you gotta remember is the car is a big factor in what we do. And Lewis, before he went to Mercedes, had won one world championship. Since he’s been at Mercedes, he’s won another six in the hybrid era of the V6 turbo engines,” Horner said.

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Max Verstappen has got so much ahead of him: Horner

Horner reckoned that Verstappen has a lot more talent to unlock. However, he also admitted that bringing the best out of the Dutchman entirely rests on Red Bull’s hands.

“I think if we can give Max a car, you know, currently he’s the best driver in the world. And I think that, at such a young age, he’s got so much ahead of him. And I think it’s down to us to make sure we’re giving him the tools to be able to you know, realize his talent,” he concluded.

Overall, Verstappen will face his biggest challenge yet this year in the form of a redemption-seeking Lewis Hamilton. The Briton had an awful end to 2021 and will be looking to prove his worth against Verstappen. Hence, are we in for another thrilling season of insane rivalry and animosity between the pair?

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