Gijs van Lennep, who finished sixth in the Grand Prix of the Netherlands in 1973 and that of Germany in the Nordschleife scored points in 1975, looking forward to the new season. “It will be a better season than last year,” he says in conversation with RacingNews365. “We are going to see a great battle for the world title, with Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc being the logical title candidates. At least if Ferrari is good enough, because that will prove. ”
In addition, as far as he is concerned, Verstappen is the man with the most chances of winning the world championship. “Max is just that far”, the almost 78-year-old Aerdenhouter is firmly convinced. “He is now also able to collect points in races that he cannot win. He has now been sufficiently explained how important that is. ”
In the eyes of Van Lennep, the winter tests in Barcelona have shown that the Verstappen-Red Bull-Honda tandem is ready for the championship. “Honda is doing well, you know. Last year Verstappen drove 1.16.3 during qualifying, now he rode 1.16.2 on his slippers. And it has certainly not gone fully. They really do everything to scatter each other’s eyes. “
Verstappen may be a top candidate for Van Lennep, it will certainly not be a walk over for the Dutchman. “It will be incredibly exciting. I would like to note that if he has more good days than last year, Valtteri Bottas can be a serious outsider. But believe me: Lewis Hamilton is really going for it. He is still hungry and has the will to equal the record of seven titles by Michael Schumacher. “
The prognosis of Gijs van Lennep:
World Cup drivers:
1. Moving
2. Hamilton
3. Bottas
4. Leclerc
World Constructors:
1. Mercedes
2. Red Bull
3. Ferrari
4. McLaren
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