Even though Hamilton is on the verge of signing a contract extension with Mercedes and will have an opportunity to add to his 103 victories, including seven at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve which will host this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, it he said the 25-year-old Dutchman had time on his side.
“He’s got a very long career ahead of him so absolutely,” Hamilton said referring to Verstappen’s chances of eclipsing his record. “Ultimately records are there to be broken.
“We’ve got to work harder to continue to extend it and, at least within the last period of time of my career, I hope we get to have some more close racing.”
Verstappen can deliver Red Bull’s 100th Formula One victory this weekend and step up alongside the late Brazilian great Ayrton Senna with a career haul of 41 wins.
If not in Montreal it is almost certain, barring injury or something else unforeseen, that Verstappen will significantly add to his total this season.
The Dutch double world champion has won five of this season’s seven races, stretching his lead in the drivers standings to 53 points over Mexican team mate Sergio Perez, who has won the other two.
With 22 races on this year’s calendar, if Red Bull and Verstappen can continue their imperious ways, the Dutchman could by the end of the season already be more than halfway to the 38-year-old Hamilton’s record.
