Hamilton 'Only One Who Can Handle' Verstappen Says Van Der Garde
F1Wednesday, 27 November 2024 at 14:00
Lewis Hamilton's 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix driver convinced former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde that he is the only one who can take on Max Verstappen.
Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton was voted a driver of the day at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix after starting from P10 and climbing eight positions into P2, finishing 7.313 seconds behind George Russell.
The seven-time world champion made two crucial mistakes in the qualifying but was convinced that the Grand Prix would have been a breeze if he started from the front row, which was where he should have been.
The P2 finish in Las Vegas was Hamilton's first podium since the summer break. Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde told the DRS: The Race Show podcast:
"Now I actually saw the Lewis Hamilton I wanted to see. The struggles he has had in the last races, that he didn't progress, qualifying, the races, this was again the first time it was really good."
"Now you see another killer, and that he is actually the only one who can handle Verstappen."
The 39-year-old proved already seven times in the past that he has what it takes to deliver a Championship title home for his team if he has the right car.
Moving to Ferrari next year, there is a chance that Lewis Hamilton could be a contender for the 2025 title. Out of all the drivers on the grid, he also has the most experience fighting Max Verstappen, whom many still consider the favorite for the 2025 title.
While the seven-time World Champion has the advantage of more experience, van der Garde added that the time does not play in his favor:
"A race is pure experience, and he still has that race pace. Only in that one lap, you have to make the most of it. And again, as you get older, the sharpness comes off."
"You just lose one or two-tenths. I've experienced it myself, you see it with Alonso and so with Hamilton."
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