Lewis Hamilton, 37, can’t drive ‘at this level for much longer’ and Verstappen ‘will get stronger’ claims Red Bull chief

RED BELL chief Helmut Marko has claimed Max Verstappen 'will get stronger', while Lewis Hamilton's days at the top are numbered.

Seven-time World Champion Hamilton, 37, made his F1 debut when Verstappen was just TEN.

After months of speculation regarding his future, Hamilton confirmed he would be returning to the grid for the 2022 F1 calendar.

The 24-year-old Verstappen is the reigning world champion though.

And Marko reckons Hamilton might not have what it takes to maintain his sky-high standards for much longer.

He told Austrian outlet : "Hamilton delivered an incredible second half of the season.

"I can hardly imagine he can drive at this level for much longer. He's at his zenith now, age is slowly coming into play."

Then when talking about Verstappen, Marko said: "He's World Champion now and he will get stronger."

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But it was Hamilton who set the fastest lap-time during pre-season testing in Barcelona.

The Spanish city offered a first chance for the ten F1 teams to try out their cars for the upcoming season.

Officially billed as a 'shakedown', the three days in Barcelona were not labelled as testing.

Instead that is scheduled for Bahrain next month, before the campaign kicks off on March 20 in the same location.

Hamilton will be desperate to wrestle the title back off Verstappen after the flying Dutchman snatched it from him in controversial circumstances last year.