Zanardi says Lewis Hamilton should expect “a more open fight in 2020”

Zanardi, who drove in F1 and Indycar, enjoyed seeing the Briton become champion for the sixth time in 2019 with two races spare and is backing him to equalise Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles.

“But I see a more open fight in 2020,” he said to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I do not take Hamilton’s further success for granted.”

 “I am rooting for him. His greatness is also in his mental strength and knowing how to apologise when he makes a mistake, like with Albon in Brazil.”

As for the future stars of F1 the Italian sees Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen as winners should they have a car capable of doing, finding similarities between the Monegasque and Hamilton.

“From this point of view I think Leclerc resembles him more than Vettel, despite his age.," he added.

“It’s difficult to say who will win but I’d like to see Leclerc and Verstappen with a car that can really compete with Mercedes.”