Verstappen: Team-mates give Hamilton easy ride

Max Verstappen believes Lewis Hamilton’s dominance of Formula One has been helped by teammates who have failed to test him.

Despite Hamilton’s mixed form – he heads into tomorrow’s Russian Grand Prix with only two victories from his past seven races and finished a distant fourth in practice here – the British driver remains on course to cruise to his sixth world championship.

Hamilton, 34, has been partnered with the likes of Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, the trio holding four titles between them, during his career. But following Rosberg’s departure from the sport – days after beating Hamilton to the 2016 title – the mild-mannered Valtteri Bottas was signed as Hamilton’s new team-mate.

Bottas has won five times in that period for Mercedes. In contrast, Hamilton has triumphed on 28 occasions. Bottas was also ordered to slow down at the last round in Singapore to protect his team-mate’s position, while at this race here last David Coulthard (above) has been appointed president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club. The 48-yearold 13-time Formula One race winner replaces Paddy Hopkirk as the leading figure at the prestigious organisation, which owns Silverstone. year, the Finn was ushered out of the way to allow the Briton to win.

“Over the years, Lewis hasn’t had the strongest team-mates,” Verstappen said. “Lewis is an amazing driver, and one of the best to have raced in Formula One. But he has also had the best car, and when you have the dominant car, the only one you are fighting is your team-mate.”

Hamilton has said he would welcome Verstappen joining him at Mercedes. Toto Wolff is a keen admirer of the Dutchman, who turns 22 on Monday. But the Mercedes team principal, still scarred by Hamilton’s toxic rivalry with Rosberg, has already moved to re-sign Bottas for at least another year. Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of next season, but would he relish going up against Hamilton? “If it happens, it happens, but it is not something I am dreaming of,” he replied.

Verstappen was fastest in second practice yesterday, but will serve a five-place grid penalty following changes to his engine. Showers are forecast for qualifying today and, after finishing eight-tenths of a second off the pace in practice, Hamilton said: “I hope it rains, otherwise it is going to be a tough day.”