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Red Bull team boss Christian Horner warned reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton that his mirrors will be full of Max Verstappen in 2020.
Last season, although Hamilton romped to a sixth Formula 1 Drivers’ title with 11 grand prix wins, Verstappen was the most successful driver outside of the Mercedes garage.
The 22-year-old claimed three grand prix wins and nine podiums to finish third in the standings.
But while his 278 points were more than 100 fewer than what Hamilton scored, Verstappen’s on-track performances have many predicting that he will be the one to dethrone Hamilton.
But whether that happens this season or next, Horner has warned the Mercedes driver that Verstappen is a man on the move.
Max the man
He told Reuters: “The likelihood is that Max is the one most likely to have a go at (Hamilton), and that’s inevitable. There is always another wave coming. Max is the coming man. He is 22 years of age; he is in the ascendancy.
“Lewis is, what, 35?. It is inevitable in any sport, there’s always another generation coming.”
READ: The future is now! One of these youngsters could be F1’s next big star
That next generation includes Charles Leclerc, who took two wins on his way to P4 for Ferrari, while McLaren have Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris in the mix.
This season Esteban Ocon will rejoin the grid, racing for Renault, with Toro Rosso backing Pierre Gasly to shine.
Horner added: “I think F1, with Max and Leclerc and the other youngsters coming along, is set for a really thrilling year.”