F1: why Max Verstappen should not be compared to Lewis Hamilton

Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix

• When: 7-9 June
• Where: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada
• Race start time: 7.10pm on Sunday 9 June
• TV coverage: live on Sky Sports F1, highlights on Channel 4

No comparisons with Lewis… yet

Max Verstappen should not be compared to Lewis Hamilton until the 21-year-old is battling the five-time world champion for the Formula 1 title.

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That’s not the view of the pundits or the fans but the Red Bull driver himself.

The Dutchman, who is currently fourth in the 2019 drivers’ standings, is tipped to follow in Hamilton’s tracks by becoming an F1 champion.

However, he says he must be consistently challenging the Mercedes ace on race weekends before any comparisons are made.

Verstappen told F1 Racing magazine: “To be honest, I’m still waiting for the real battle against Lewis.

“Of course, I’ve been driving with Lewis for a few years now. But I never really felt like the whole season I was fighting against him, so it’s a bit difficult to judge that at the moment.

“He was in a championship fight and then we had [only] a few good races, so sometimes it’s easier to overtake him because he has to think about the championship.

“Hopefully this year we will be more in that fight throughout the whole season, every weekend, then we can compare each other.”

Leclerc: Canada is a good opportunity

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc says this weekend’s Canadian GP could provide the team with the opportunity of getting a good result.

The Scuderia are yet to win a race in 2019 and Leclerc hopes that will change in Montreal on Sunday.

“The Canadian Grand Prix should be an opportunity to try and bring home a good result,” said Leclerc.

“We must do everything well to prepare the car right down to the last detail. Last week, I was in the simulator in Maranello to work on settings and on improving the car and myself for this round.

“I find this track very interesting, because it includes various types of corner and a long straight where it should be possible to overtake.

“I really hope we can have a successful weekend.”

F1 news headlines

What the media is writing about in the world of Formula 1:

• Latifi to make Williams practice debut on home turf (Formula1.com)
• Red Bull confirm Ferrari approaches for technical staff (GP Fans)
• Mercedes braced for ‘huge challenge’ at fast Canadian GP (Sky Sports)
• Renault on their Ricciardo ‘duty’ (Sky Sports)
• Stroll aims for ‘victory’ with SportPesa Racing Point (Planet F1)