Max Verstappen says Lewis Hamilton, many drivers, can prevent third straight title in Formula 1 2023

“He’s been one of the greatest drivers ever in the sport, so for sure if he has the car to do it he can fight for the title again,” Max Verstappen says of Lewis Hamilton; Red Bull launched RB19 car on Friday and revealed engine partnership with Ford from 2026

Max Verstappen insists Lewis Hamilton is one of many drivers who could challenge him for the Formula 1 title this year, and has signalled his backing for Red Bull’s newly-announced alliance with US car giant Ford.

Flexing their muscles off the back of dominating last year’s championships, Red Bull kickstarted their 2023 season in style with a glitzy launch in New York on Friday as they debuted their RB19 car – which unsurprisingly looked a lot like last year’s – and announced a mega engine deal with Ford for 2026.

Verstappen led Red Bull’s charge by winning a record 15 races out of 22 last season, although the now double world champion expects a more competitive campaign a year into F1’s rules revolution.

The Dutchman, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News in New York, highlighted former rival Hamilton – who struggled with Mercedes in 2022 – as well as younger title hopefuls as threats this year.

“He’s been one of the greatest drivers ever in the sport, so for sure if he has the car to do it, he can fight for the title again,” said Verstappen of Hamilton.

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Red Bull have revealed their new RB19 car for the 2023 Formula One season at a special event in New York

He added: “But that’s the same for George [Russell, Hamilton’s team-mate]. it’s the same for Charles [Leclerc, Ferrari], it’s the same for Lando [Norris, McLaren] – if you give them the car that’s capable of winning the championship, they can.

“But it’s also about when you have the car then the pressure comes you cannot afford big mistakes.

“That’s a bit of a different pressure you have but I’m confident once these guys get onto a roll like that it is all possible, they all have talent to do so.”

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Christian Horner, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo give their thoughts on the new 2023 RB19 Red Bull from New York

Verstappen, whose Red Bull team have a cost cap penalty this year with a drop in wind tunnel time, also stressed that a third straight championship was no sure thing.

“You always try to go for it, but I don’t know if we’re going to be good enough,” he told Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater.

“Of course as a team we believe we are, we are very motivated, we come off the back of a very strong year and we are working flat out to try and achieve that.”

Verstappen backs Red Bull’s mega Ford alliance

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Ford have officially confirmed their return to Formula 1 in 2026 with partners Red Bull

Red Bull’s launch also saw the team promise fans the chance to design their own livery for the US races in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas this year, and confirming a huge partnership with Ford.

Red Bull Power Trains and Ford, returning to F1 for the first time in two decades, will work together to design Red Bull and AlphaTauri’s engines for the new regulations in 2026.

Verstappen’s no stranger to engine deals at Red Bull – having seen the team struggle with Renault before making the inspired move to Honda – and fully supports the Ford deal.

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Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez say improving on last year’s performance will be difficult, but they must keep pushing to stay on top this year

“I signed twice without actually fully knowing what was coming in terms of engines, and people said maybe that’s a crazy thing to do,” said Verstappen, who is tied to Red Bull until at least the end of the 2028 season.

“I believed in the project and I believed that everyone involved would make the right decisions for the team.

“The first one they made going with Honda, I think that worked out really well and now for the future this is the next step – Ford in 2026 – and I believe in it.

“If we all believe in it, I’m sure we can create something really cool.”

A busy launch season has begun and you can watch Williams’ livery reveal live on Sky Sports F1 on Monday, February 6. Also live on Sky Sports F1 are pre-season testing (February 23-25) and the whole 2023 season.