Mar.28 (GMM) Charles Leclerc currently stands out as the only top Formula 1 driver on back-to-back world champion Max Verstappen’s level.
That is the view of former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, who thinks even seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s best days are now behind him.
“I don’t think he can win an eighth,” the 41-year-old Brazilian told Bild newspaper. “At least not with this car.
“He can drive as well as he wants but his car is too slow.”
Also struggling to deal with Red Bull’s dominance at present is Ferrari, but the 2023 car’s qualifying pace is good – with the main problem being tyre wear in the race.
“Like Max and Lewis, Charles is an exceptional driver,” Massa said. “He is currently the biggest title challenger for Red Bull.
“Red Bull’s second driver, Sergio Perez, is too inconsistent. Just like Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. But George Russell could be a title contender for years to come.”
Indeed, Russell finished ahead of his older British countryman Hamilton in his first year at Mercedes in 2022, and once again appears to have a pace edge this season.
“I trust him to do well,” Massa said.
“Don’t forget that last year, in his first season at Mercedes, he outperformed Lewis in the world championship. An incredible achievement,” said the winner of 11 career grands prix.
“Before that in Lewis’ career, only Nico Rosberg had done something similar in 2016. George is a top driver,” added Massa.
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Grand Prix Tours has once again orchestrated the perfect race weekend for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix which has a new earlier date of July 30th.
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With a racing lineage that dates back more than 95 years, unpredictable weather patterns and the ravenous Ferrari fans make this race and post-race celebration a spectacle like no other in professional motorsports.
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Guests of Grand Prix Tours are escorted through the Italian countryside to an area rich in history and car culture. Guests will gain insight into the history and inner workings of car companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Dallara, Pagani, and Alfa Romeo.
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Located just outside the Austin city limits is the Circuit of the Americas one of the finest racing circuits in the world and for this year is one of the tracks selected to run one of the six Sprint races on the F1 schedule. Join Grand Prix Tours as we head to Austin, Texas for the 2023 United States Grand Prix.
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