Max Verstappen has been told how to beat Lewis Hamilton to win his first F1 Drivers’ Championship – by the man who last did so back in 2016. On Sunday, Verstappen delivered a dominant display to win the Mexican Grand Prix, leaving Hamilton trailing in his wake as the British driver hung on to second place from Sergio Perez.
The victory was Verstappen’s ninth of the season, and extended his lead in the standings over Hamilton to 19 points with just four races remaining.
The first of those final four races takes place in Brazil this Sunday, a track that traditionally favours Red Bull and where Verstappen triumphed when the venue last held an F1 race in 2019.
However, despite being firmly in the ascendancy, the Dutchman has remained cautious about his chances, telling reporters after his win in Mexico that “things can change quickly”.
Regardless, Hamilton’s firm grip on the Drivers’ Championship is clearly under serious threat. He’s won four consecutive titles to go and stands on seven overall, a record he jointly shares with Michael Schumacher.
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In 2016, Rosberg had to keep his composure under extreme pressure in the final race of the season, securing the podium finish he needed to be crowned champion.
And he said the mental strength thus far displayed by Verstappen could prove critical over the next four races.
Rosberg added: “Max makes that really super powerful (the mental side). The mental is essential in such a duel. It is certainly not easy for Max, because this is his first time in such a situation. And then against the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time.
“In this respect, he has already deserved the greatest recognition.”
Ironically, the last time driver not to win the championship having achieved Verstappen’s current total of nine wins was Hamilton back in 2016.
The British driver has now won just once in eight races though, and that came in Russia after race-leader Lando Norris made an ill-fated decision to stay out on dry-weather tyres when rain came late on.
Following the race in Brazil, there are further Grands Prix in Qatar and Saudi Arabia before the season culminates in Abu Dhabi on December 12.