Ecclestone: 'He can definitely be world champion'

With Max Verstappen increasing his lead over Lewis Hamilton in the points standings on a weekly basis, it is starting to look more and more like the long standing supremacy of Mercedes and especially Lewis Hamilton is coming to an end. The Dutchman has been strong in every race so far this year and other than his DNF in Baku, he's yet to finish lower than second.

Luck

Bernie Ecclestone, the former boss of Formula 1, sees that there is a clear shift taking place at the top of the field. Talking to German Bild, Ecclestone is asked if he thinks Lewis Hamilton is still the absolute leader of the Formula 1 world. "No, I don't think he is at the moment. The six best drivers can beat Lewis and also Max if they have the car to do so. The right champion is characterised by the fact that he can also deal with difficult situations."

According to Ecclestone, however, the championship is far from decided: "But you can't write Lewis off under any circumstances. It will be an exciting duel between him and Verstappen. As a top driver in Formula 1 you not only need the best car, but also a bit of luck. Lewis has had that for many, many years, but currently luck is not always on his side or that of Mercedes. But I also have to acknowledge that Red Bull is doing a great job."

Confidence in Max

Still, the 90-year-old Briton has faith in a Dutch champion: "Yes, absolutely [he can become world champion this year]. He is talented and fast, but also needs a bit of luck - and the better car. How important this can be for a driver we saw last year with George Russell in Bahrain, when he filled in for Lewis and only didn't win because he had a problem. Nobody expected that."