20 December 2023 , 07:00
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Jenson Button is adamant that Lewis Hamilton is "definitely good enough" to win more Formula 1 races and titles.
That's despite David Coulthard questioning whether the seven-time world champion still has what it takes to fight Max Verstappen for those honours. Hamilton has not won a race in more than two years while his Dutch rival has secured three successive championships.
He turns 39 next month but has two more years to run on his current Mercedes deal, signed earlier this year. And former racer Coulthard wonders whether time is running out for Hamilton at the very top level.
"This is not Lewis at his prime," said the Channel 4 pundit. "This is Lewis in a very frustrating two-year state of underperforming. When he gets a winning car again, it'll be really interesting to see if he can rediscover the old Lewis magic."
Red Bull failed to win only one race in 2023 while Verstappen himself tasted victory 19 times out of 22. Toppling the Dutchman and his all-conquering team looks to be a tall order for all their rivals.
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Speaking to AFP, 2009 world champion Button made clear his belief that the 2024 championship will again be Verstappen's team's to lose. "Red Bull are going to be at the front again next year," he said.
"They had a strong car this year and they've been able to work on next year's car. The thing is, if you just look at the results of the race, you go, 'Oh Max Verstappen won again'. But when you actually watch the races, there have been some amazing races this year.
"Max hasn't had it all his own way. He's come out on top in the end but there have been some great fights this season. I have enjoyed the year. Would I like more people winning? Yes of course. But it's just not happened."
And while Button insists "it's not going to be easy to beat Max", he is similarly certain that Hamilton still has the skills and the drive to take the fight to Verstappen if given a car capable of allowing him to do so. He added: "Lewis wouldn't race if he didn't think he wasn't good enough. Lewis is definitely good enough to win races and to win a championship - with the right car.
"Coming up against Max is difficult but if Lewis is in a car that suits him and Max is in a car that suits him... I look forward to that fight. Hopefully we will see it before Lewis retires, he's definitely got the ability to do that."