F1 champ Lewis Hamilton offers honest verdict on Red Bull ahead of title defence

Lewis Hamilton has offered his honest verdict on the partnership of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen at Red Bull as he eyes up a record eighth World Drivers’ Championship in 2021Red Bull will be a ‘different animal’ with Sergio Perez alongside Max Verstappen during the 2021 F1 season according to reigning champion Lewis Hamilton.

 

 

 

 

The 36-year-old has had little challenge during the most recent three of his four consecutive titles – with the Mercedes car brushing away all opposition.
However, Hamilton has picked out the recent changes at Red Bull as a reason to be cautious, with experienced Mexican Perez coming in as a replacement for Alexander Albon.

 

 

Despite Mercedes winning each of the the last seven constructors’ titles, their lead driver does not feel that the championship is a forgone conclusion in 2021“It’s quite impressive to see the speed of some of the other teams. I think Red Bull are looking particularly strong,” Hamilton said. “It’s great to see McLaren also looking strong and also Renault (Alpine). I’m excited also because that means more fun. Adding of Red Bull: “They’ve had some really good running, both drivers have been looking quite strong. “They are going to be a different machine or animal this year with a really good, strong line-up and a really good car “Having seen them win the last race, you can imagine they are going to be right there in the first race and it’s going to be a great long battle with them through the year.”

 

 

Hamilton will be looking to topple the record of seven championships that he currently shares with Michael Schumacher, and he is looking to smooth out his process during the current practising. He said: “We are just working hard and focusing on getting through the short amount of testing we have and trying to be as efficient as possible “It’s better that it doesn’t go smooth now and goes smooth once we get into the racing scene. So this is the perfect time for us to find the issues and have the problems. And so I welcome that ‘No-one’s particularly fazed by it. We are a multi-championship-winning team and we know how to pull together and keep our head down and focus on the job.”