Max Verstappen relishes Lewis Hamilton scrap as Red Bull ace unveils plan to seal F1 glory
Max Verstappen is eager to become F1 champion in 2020.
Max Verstappen takes practice lap on the new Zandvoort Circuit
Max Verstappen says self belief will be the key if he's to knock Lewis Hamilton off his throne this year. The Red Bull driver will begin his title challenge on Sunday as the Austrian Grand Prix gets the coronavirus-hit 2020 F1 campaign underway.
Verstappen has long been tipped to seal World Drivers' Championship glory and will become F1's youngest-ever title winner if he comes out on top this year.
The 22-year-old has not been afraid to throw himself into battle ever since he made his debut at motorsport's highest level as a teenager in 2015.
And Verstappen is relishing the prospect of going wheel-to-wheel with Mercedes driver Hamilton as he seeks to steal the reigning king of F1's crown.
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"I would love it," Verstappen told The Guardian. "That’s not pressure, if you’re winning that is the best thing there is.
"I love it, the more fights on track the better. I would love to have that competition and close fighting and the chance of fighting for a title. There are moments where it will be hard but I like that and Lewis likes that as well."
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Verstappen has bundles of talent and Red Bull are optimistic their new RB16 car is strong enough to contend with the W11s of Mercedes duo Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
Many think the Dutchman will have to take a leaf out of Nico Rosberg's book and disrupt Hamilton if he's to rule over the F1 kingdom.
Verstappen says, however, he's just backing his own abilities rather than focussing on giving Hamilton nightmares.
"I don’t need to take Lewis out of his comfort zone," Verstappen said. "As a driver you have to believe in yourself.
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"It’s not arrogant because if you don’t believe, you will never succeed, you have to be confident you can do it."
Verstappen would usually be cheered on by scores of his compatriots at the Austrian Grand Prix, which takes place behind closed doors this year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Verstappen admits the circumstances are unusual but he insists he can still do the business as he goes in search of a third win on the spin at the Red Bull Ring.
"I really want to get on and race again," Verstappen said. "It will be weird without friends, family and fans there, but I just want to get back in the car. Once I am sitting in the car I’m fired up, I don’t need the crowds to fire me up."
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