Home

Mercedes AMG Associate Explains His Surprise Backing of Max Verstappen & Red Bull F1

Published 11/03/2021, 8:22 AM EDT

After over five years, the zest of rivalry is back in Formula 1, as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton look to battle against each other for the 2021 world championship title. Amidst the rising heat between the duo, the bystanders have started to express their perspectives on who should win it.

Hardly a week back, Felipe Massa placed his dibs on Verstappen, which is quite understandable as Hamilton stole his only chance of winning an F1 title back in 2008. However, here’s someone from the Mercedes AMG family itself, backing Red Bull to secure the championship.

Hubert Haupt, the owner of the Haupt Racing Team, revealed that he is rooting for the Dutchman to win the championship title this season. Of course, he doesn’t hold any grudge against Mercedes or their much-loved driver, Hamilton.

Article continues below this ad

Instead, the German opined that F1 needs a new world champion, especially after Hamilton’s long-held reign. “I think it’s time for someone other than Hamilton to become world champion,” he told Sport1.de. (Translated via Google Translate)

Haupt hopes for Max Verstappen victory in Mexico and Brazil

Haupt, who runs the Mercedes AMG GT3 in the DTM series, acknowledged that being a part of the Mercedes family, he should be supporting Hamilton. However, he reckoned that Red Bull and Honda deserve to win a title after such a long wait.

“But in terms of Formula 1, it would be important for Red Bull to win the title. So I hope that Verstappen makes it,” the 52-year-old said.

Article continues below this ad

“There are still a few more stretches that are Mercedes, but if he scores well in the next two races, his nerves are so strong that he can do it.”

Verstappen has a crucial period of weeks ahead in Mexico and Brazil; he needs to finish ahead of Hamilton over both the races. Because what follows then is the final round in the middle-east. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia could fall into Mercedes’ strengths.

Article continues below this ad

Hence, it is almost mandatory that Verstappen wins the Mexican GP and the Brazilian GP and extends his gap to the seven-time world champion. But how intense is Hamilton’s fightback going to be? Will the Briton let Verstappen have a free run in America?

Watch Story: F1 Drivers Getting Into the Halloween Spirit Featuring Ricciardo, Verstappen & Hamilton

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Rohit Kumar is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. He has been an ardent follower of the racing series since 2007, with his love for the sport coinciding with his love for Kimi Raikkonen. He is also an ardent follower of Sebastian Vettel and Aston Martin Racing.

Mercedes AMG Associate Explains His Surprise Backing of Max Verstappen & Red Bull F1

Haupt hopes for Max Verstappen victory in Mexico and Brazil

Trending

Max Verstappen “On Ice” as Return to China Goes Badly for Christian Horner and Co

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

Adrian Newey Hits Out at Climate Activist Lewis Hamilton’s Fuel Protest, Desperate to See V10 Engines Again

Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department Sends F1 Fans Into a Frenzy: “Its a Fernando Reference”

Who are Zhou Guanyu’s Parents? Everything We Know About The Chinese Driver’s Family