Former F1 driver: 'Verstappen is now at a level of a world champion'

F1 News

16 October 2021 at 09:23
Last update 16 October 2021 at 09:47
  • GPblog.com

Max Verstappen still has a great chance of becoming world champion with six races to go. The leader in the world championship is only six points ahead of rival Lewis Hamilton, so the tension is high. Marcus Ericsson is also enjoying the fight.

The Swede was active in Formula 1 between 2014 and 2018, during which he raced for Caterham and Sauber (later Alfa Romeo). Ericsson therefore experienced both drivers up close for years and sees a clear change in Verstappen.

"I hope for Max, but tomorrow I'll say on English TV that I hope Lewis wins," Ericsson begins, laughing, in Formule 1 Café on Ziggo Sport. "I think it's good for the sport if it becomes Max. Also I think-he is very strong, well built up the last few years. He has gotten better and better and now at a level of a world champion. In the way he drives and how he gets the most out of it. That's how you win the World Championship and he's showing that."

Interesting battle between Hamilton and Verstappen

Whichever driver grabs the world title, Ericsson believes it is above all important that there is a battle again in the sport. "It's interesting to see how it's going to play out this year. It's cool that we have that fight between Lewis and Max. Very entertaining. Nice to see how it's going to end."