Lewis Hamilton praises Verstappen for an amazing and dominant 2022 season campaign.
Hamilton says Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen can be “proud” of the “amazing job”.
“I can’t say that I’ve had time to study every aspect of what Max has done this year, but I think he’s done an amazing job,” Hamilton said on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“He’s done everything that he had to do.
“The team provided him with an amazing car and he’s delivered pretty much every weekend.”
Seven-time world champion Hamilton has at times had a frosty relationship with Verstappen. Particularly as they battled for the 2021 title, but the Brit offered warm praise on this occasion.
“He can be proud of the job that he’s done,” Hamilton said. “I know what it feels to be in a position like that.
“He’s got a chance to win more races, the next two races, so he could take that record that he’s now taken even further if we can’t stop him, or Ferrari can’t stop him.
“There’s not really much more to say, he’s done a great job.”
Can Hamilton finally win in Brazil?
Hamilton, is on course to finish an F1 season without a win for the first time in his career. He admits he is not confident of being able to compete for victory in Brazil.
“Honestly, every time we arrive at a track, we’re surprised one way or another,” Hamilton said. “Either by how big the gap is or how close we are, so I won’t know until tomorrow where that is.
“I don’t know if the car will be spectacular here, I don’t know if we’ll be as close as we were last race – I don’t think we will, but I hope we’re surprised and that’s not the case.
“We kind of know where our car is going to work and which corners it won’t work in, so I anticipate it’s not going to be the easiest on track, but there’s the weather, there are all sorts that could come into it.”
Hamilton insisted that his individual focus remains on trying to secure an elusive 2022 race victory. He added that Brazil provides more hope than next weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi. He believes Mercedes’ lack of straight-line speed will be an issue in Abu Dhabi.
“My focus is maximizing the next two races,” Hamilton added. “I think we as a team are focused on making sure that we have a car that we can compete with next year.
“Out of the next two races, this is the best option we’ll have or the closest I think we’ll be. I think Abu Dhabi with those long straights will be difficult.”
