F1 News
Wolff: 'Verstappen and Hamilton both have nothing to lose'
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will start the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix next to each other on Sunday. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has high expectations. Especially those first few corners could be exciting, according to the Austrian.
Wolff thus agrees with Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner, who also indicated he would not be surprised if there is spectacle between the two 2021 bantams in the first few corners. By a minuscule margin, Hamilton managed to beat Dutchman Verstappen, making it the Briton's ninth start from pole at the Hungaroring.
Verstappen and Hamilton have nothing to lose
The first straight is long, making it likely that Verstappen will also grab a slipstream in his fast RB19 and both drivers will dive into the first corners together. The Ducht newspaper De Telegraaf quotes Wolff: "Lewis and Max both have nothing to lose." By this, the team boss means that Hamilton can no longer have a serious shot at the title this year anyway and that Verstappen is already so far in front that even a crash can do little to hurt him in the standings.
Wolff continued: "Lewis will give everything he has in him to make it a great fight. At the same time, we also have to remain realistic. In the race simulations on Friday and earlier on Saturday, Red Bull was in another world. But it remains a race, everything could be different on Sunday. Perhaps we can fight Red Bull as well as McLaren, who are also strong."