F1 News
Briatore wants Leclerc or Verstappen to partner Hamilton at Mercedes!
Flavio Briatore says that Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are two of the drivers that will be world champions in the future, also claiming that Leclerc would be on the same level with Hamilton if he was in a Mercedes. The young duo have been at the heart of some of the most exciting battles this season, especially their fight for the win in Austria, in which Verstappen came out on top.
Since the summer break, Leclerc has found more consistency, something that was lacking a bit before, taking four pole positions in a row and two wins, including in Italy, sending the home Ferrari crowd into raptures.
Verstappen had the better of it just before the summer break, taking his victories in Austria and Germany, but has struggled with an uncompetitive Red Bull Racing car in the races following.
Briatore said on Bai Radio: "Leclerc can already become world champion. Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso have proven that it's not about age, it's about talent.
"The world champions of the future, however, are called Leclerc and Verstappen. If Leclerc was sitting in a Mercedes, he would be driving at eye level with Hamilton. I'd like to see something like that - Leclerc and Hamilton at Mercedes, or Verstappen and Hamilton at Mercedes."