Formula One fans are doubtful of Max Verstappen’s ability to overcome Charles Leclerc in the race to win the Drivers’ Championship in 2022 despite the Red Bull driver’s success in Saudi Arabia. Verstappen won his first Grand Prix of the season two weeks ago, coming out on top in a thrilling battle with Ferrari’s Leclerc.
Ferrari have emerged as a relatively surprising contender for wins in 2022, capitalizing on issues at Red Bull and Mercedes. Leclerc won the season opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix and then went toe-to-toe with Verstappen in Saudi Arabia.
With Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and George Russell struggling for performance, another tight contest between Verstappen and Leclerc could be the main story at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. However, Express Sport readers are unsure about the 2021 world champion’s ability to come out on top.
In an exclusive Express Sport poll, 57 percent of 10,210 voters do not think Verstappen wants to beat Leclerc to the world championship. The 24-year-old got the better of Hamilton to win in 2021 but his rival with Leclerc has a slightly different dynamic.
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Mercedes and seven-times world champion Hamilton have endured performance issues at the start of the season. but Horner believes the Silver Arrows will improve soon, adding: “Racing Ferrari is always slightly different.
“They’re such a long-standing team in Formula 1 and it’s not perhaps some of the animosities that had grown between our other rivals. They’re a great team, they’ve got great drivers.
“Mercedes are going to be bouncing back soon, I’ve got no doubt about that. We have to focus on ourselves and keep evolving and developing this car.”
