JENSON BUTTON has warned Lewis Hamilton that Max Vertsppen will be fired up to beat him to the Formula One World Championship this year.
The Red Bull driver pipped the Mercedes ace to claim his first world title on the final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in controversial fashion.
Hamilton, 37, was on course to win a record eighth championship as he led by over ten seconds going into lap 54.
But after Williams’ Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers, a safety car was deployed which saw Hamilton’s lead wiped away.
And having pitted, Verstappen overtook his rival with fresher tires after stewards decided to allow lapped cars to overtake.
Michael Masi had initially indicated lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen would stay in their formation, only to change his mind, resulting in the former to claim that the race ‘has been manipulated’.
The Australian has since been sacked as F1’s race director over his role in the incident following an investigation after he failed to follow strict safety car rules.
Hamilton’s former McLaren team-mate Button has now declared that Verstappen will have a point to prove to show he’s a deserving world champ after Masi’s termination.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
He told Sky Sports: “I’m sure he wants to come out fighting and fight for victory from the word go.
“It’s kind of a world championship he has won, but I’m sure he wants to go and win another so he can go ‘look, it wasn’t down to Michael Masi’.
“It’s always difficult when there’s a controversial ending, but he’s an exceptional talent and I said that from the word go.
“I raced against his dad in F1, Jos Verstappen, and I raced against his mum – she was my team-mate in karting!
“Max was always going to be a good driver and it’s whether he can keep building on the natural ability he has.”
The retired racer added: “It’s whether he can improve on that and build himself into someone like Lewis who is the complete package.”
There were strong rumours that Hamilton would retire following the controversial season finale, but Mercedes have confirmed he will take part in his 16th year in F1.
F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
