Carlos Sainz suggests that Max Verstappen might never be a world champion

F1 News

21 August 2019 at 17:45
  • Tom Mason

McLaren's Carlos Sainz has admitted that he feels that Max Verstappen may never be a Formula 1 champion unless he finds the right car at the right time.

Verstappen has impressed so far this season and currently sits third in the drivers’ championship behind Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at the top.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed some strong battles with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to which mayn feel could give an indication for what’s to come in the future of the sport.

Sainz, however feels that if his car can get up to their level then he doesn’t see why he can’t challenge them as well.

"I hope McLaren can build a car that Lando [Norris] and I can use to fight those guys one day,"  Sainz told Motorsport.com.

“To assume that it will be between Verstappen and Leclerc is premature. I think the situation in Formula 1 can change enormously in 2021. It could very well be that we see other people fighting in front. It is just a matter of who is currently in the right car.

“If Verstappen joins the right team at the right time, he will win several world championships. But if he isn't, he won't be champion once. That's how it works in Formula 1, unfortunately."

The three drivers are certainly all promising drivers and look set to have some more interesting duals in the coming years.