'Lewis has title edge' says Formula One veteran John Watson
‘Lewis has title edge’: Formula One veteran John Watson tips Hamilton to triumph over rival Max Verstappen ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix
- Lewis Hamilton holds an eight point advantage over rival Max Verstappen
- The 36-year-old Brit has been tipped to win his eighth F1 title this season
- Hamilton and Verstappen were involved in a crash at Silverstone last month
- George Russell could replace Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton’s partner next season
Deep in the damp, rolling hills of the Ardennes Forest, Formula One returns after the summer break.
A season of thrills and spills is delicately balanced with Lewis Hamilton holding an eight-point advantage over Max Verstappen — a swing of 41 points since Silverstone and the big bang that may prove the turning point in their battle.
Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, I caught up with grand prix veteran John Watson to discuss how the remaining 12 races could play out.
Lewis Hamilton holds an eight point advantage over Max Verstappen as Formula one returns
Watson has an interesting take on the pair’s 180mph crash at Silverstone last month that may act as a title bellwether.
The Ulsterman who won the British Grand Prix in 1981, believes Verstappen should have given Hamilton a foot more space, in which case he would have taken the full 25 points rather than ended up in hospital with concussion.
‘The angle Lewis had on the inside was shallow and he would have struggled to make the apex,’ he says. ‘Max could then have seized on that by undercutting Lewis into the Becketts complex and won the race.
‘As the driver on the outside you have to give some space. Not doing that comes down to pig-headedness and the view that I’ll never, ever concede.’
Rivals Verstappen (left) and Hamilton (right) were involved in a crash at Silverstone last month
Even if Hamilton is, as I agree, the more rounded driver, he was the one blamed by the stewards for pressing his claims too far at Copse.
‘Lewis is the more savvy driver overall,’ adds Watson. ‘There are times you have to realise that the prudent thing is to be cautious rather than showing bravery beyond the call of duty. That is often the way to win world championships. Sir Jackie Stewart is the perfect example of that.’
Verstappen, 13 years Hamilton’s junior at 23, is the most thrilling driver to watch today — but his uncompromising style is not necessarily suited to what can be a frenetic and dangerous first couple of laps at this undulating Spa circuit this weekend.
What if he is vying with Hamilton at Eau Rouge in a tight bunch or through the fast Pouhon and Blanchimont corners?
Verstappen’s ‘uncompromising style’ makes him the most ‘thrilling’ driver to watch today
The Dutchman set the fastest time in practice on Friday afternoon but went off at Malmedy, puncturing the hoardings, which he then ripped from under his car. Day over. Valtteri Bottas was second quickest with his Mercedes team-mate Hamilton third.
The defending world champion usually improves as the weekend progresses, and traditionally as a season matures.
Not only does Hamilton’s knowhow indicate he could end the season with a record eighth title, the Silverstone smash also robbed Verstappen of one of his Honda engines. It means at some point Red Bull will have to incur a grid penalty for an extra change of power unit, and run an expiring, and so slower and potentially less reliable, engine meanwhile.
Red Bull have it stacked against them. Both Watson and I lean towards Hamilton prevailing in a tight fight.
Hamilton has been tipped to prevail in a tight contest and win his eighth Formula One title
Who’s next at Mercedes?
I put it to Watson that the box-office line-up at Mercedes next year is Williams’ 23-year-old talent George Russell alongside Hamilton: the great but ageing Lewis against the prince who would be king.
I suggest Bottas is demoralised and washed up. He has repeatedly tried to reboot himself only to fail yet again to match Hamilton. He climbs an inch and then Lewis stamps on his fingers.
‘I agree with all that,’ says Watson. ‘But it depends how much of a say Lewis might have in it. I am sure he remembers his time at McLaren in 2007 with Fernando Alonso as his team-mate and would be wary of a repeat. That rivalry cost them both the title.
Colin Chapman put Ronnie Peterson and Emerson Fittipaldi together in 1973 and Jackie won the title because they were more bothered about fighting each other than the rest of the field.
George Russell (pictured) could replace Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton’s partner next year
‘George has shown his superb ability and this could be a problem in terms of team management.
‘Perhaps they should pay Bottas on a bonus basis to incentivise him. Or tell Russell he has to play second fiddle to Lewis for a year or two, as Francois Cevert did with Jackie, on the understanding that he will be No 1 when Lewis retires.’
A decision is expected in the next two or three weeks. I’m rooting for Russell. It’s time to let the dog off the leash.
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