Max Verstappen Takes a Dig at Kimi Raikkonen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is gearing up for the 2019 F1 season. He will surely be hoping that the season culminates in title success in his favour.

However, the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel will be seeking to end the Prancing Horse’s trophy drought.

Ferrari have not secured silverware since Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa snatched the 2008 World Constructors’ Championship.

There will be high hopes among Ferrari’s rivals that intra-team competition will play a part. But at the same time, it could help bring out the best from four-time title winner Sebastian Vettel.

Verstappen claims that Leclerc can contend with Ferrari team-mate Vettel right from the start this season.

The Dutchman also aimed a thinly-veiled dig at 2007 champion Raikkonen. The latter will be driving with Alfa Romeo in 2019 after swapping seats with LeClerc.

“I think so, because he is very fast and intelligent,” Verstappen said of Leclerc’s chances of challenge Vettel straight away.

“Yes he lacks some experience to Vettel, maybe over the race distance.”

“But he will be faster than Kimi Raikkonen anyway.”

Verstappen has been advised by many to be more measured on-track to increase his chances of winning an F1 title.

However, team principal Christian Horner has disagreed on the subject of the 21-year-old’s ruthlessness.

“I think it was good practice for him to see what happens on the other side of the fence,” Horner said.

“[Verstappen’s determined approach] distinguishes him and makes him the exciting driver he is. If you talked him out of that, he would not be Max Verstappen anymore. He would not make for the same headlines and create the same interest anymore.

“He just wants to drive as hard as possible on each lap. He is not a big fan of tests, he would much rather race.”