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'Hamilton is the only one who could take on Verstappen'
Former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde believes that Lewis Hamilton is the only driver "who can handle Max Verstappen". The Dutchman took a fourth consecutive F1 title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, highlighting the dominance he has had over the rest of the grid.
Verstappen sealed his drivers' championship by finishing ahead of rival Lando Norris under the bright lights of the 'Sin City', sealing another title before the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The only season where the Dutchman was pushed right to the season's end was in 2021, giving him his first world title. Of course, that battle came against Lewis Hamilton, as the Brit had a great weekend in Vegas himself.
Qualifying did not go great for the 39-year-old. The seen-time world champion made it into Q3, but then a few mistakes were made which meant he could only qualify in P10. During the race, Hamilton showed his class and managed to drive all the way to P2, turning it into a one-two for Mercedes as George Russell won the race.
Van der Garde on Hamilton's return to form
"Now I actually saw the Lewis Hamilton I wanted to see. The struggles he has had in the last races, that he didn't progress, qualifying, the races, this was again the first time it was really good. Now you see another killer, and that he is actually the only one who can handle Verstappen," Van der Garde told the DRS: The Race Show podcast.
"A race is pure experience, and he still has that race pace. Only in that one lap, you have to make the most of it. And again, as you get older, the sharpness comes off. You just lose one or two-tenths. I've experienced it myself, you see it with Alonso and so with Hamilton," the former Formula 1 driver concluded.
This article was created in collaboration with Estéban den Toom
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