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Formula 1: 5 drivers who could be the next champion not named Lewis Hamilton

By Asher Fair

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 28: Fourth place finisher Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates winning the 2018 F1 World Drivers Championship by performing donuts during the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 28, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 28: Fourth place finisher Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates winning the 2018 F1 World Drivers Championship by performing donuts during the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 28, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 06: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 06: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Max Verstappen

It is hard to believe that Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen just turned 21 years old and is already set to enter his fifth Formula 1 season next year, which is set to be his fourth season and third full season driving for Red Bull Racing.

Unless Red Bull Racing can make drastic improvements as a result of their impending switch from Renault engines to Honda engines for next season, which is certainly a good possibility, don’t expect them to give the Dutchman the car he needs to compete for championships with the four Mercedes and Ferrari drivers.

However, that does not mean that the talented Verstappen will not have the chance to win championships in the future. Verstappen, who many people consider to be a future world champion, signed a contract last year to continue driving for Red Bull Racing through at least the 2020 season.

Of the four drivers who are slated to drive for Mercedes or Ferrari next season, only Charles Leclerc, who currently drives for Sauber, has a contract to drive beyond the 2020 season.

There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever by anybody that Verstappen is loaded with talent and potential. However, his overaggressive driving style has caused fans to question whether or not he has what it takes to drive a car that in which he is capable of winning championships.

But aside of a few gaffes early on this season, there has been a marked improvement in terms of Verstappen’s decision-making in 2018. If he can continue to improve and avoid making silly mistakes, there would be no reason for him not to drive for a championship-caliber team and thus contend for championships on a regular basis starting within the next few seasons.

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