F1 news: Mark Webber makes Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen prediction
SEBASTIAN VETTEL won four world titles while team-mates with Mark Webber at Red Bull, but the Australian has snubbed his former ally with a Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen claim.
Webber has turned his hand to punditry since retiring from F1 in 2013.
The 42-year-old was once part of an extremely dominant Red Bull outfit in which Vettel won four Drivers’ Championships in a row.
But the German is no longer the force that he once was.
That is according to Webber, who thinks Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are both better drivers than his former ally.
“There’s the Max Verstappen factor,” Webber said.
“In those conditions, Max and Lewis Hamilton are the best in the world.
“Max is going to take a lot of risks, put his nose in everywhere.”
Webber was replaced at Red Bull by fellow countryman Daniel Ricciardo.
However, he has since left for Renault for the upcoming campaign and Webber is unsure about the move.
“He’d need some stars lining up, but it can happen,” Webber said when asked if Ricciardo can win a race this season.
“He’s not ballistically quick over one lap but when it comes to racing — if anyone can pull something out of that Renault on Sunday it’s him.
“It’s going to be a long campaign to get them competitive but he’ll lift that team, there’s no doubt about it.”
Ferrari were substantially quicker than their rivals during pre-season testing in Barcelona.
And Red Bull claim they were two tenths quicker than Mercedes.
Which leaves the Silver Arrows arrows staring at a daunting task headed to Melbourne next weekend.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also admitted that his team have a “mountain to climb.”