{"id":302654,"date":"2023-12-17T09:24:36","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T09:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=302654"},"modified":"2023-12-17T09:24:36","modified_gmt":"2023-12-17T09:24:36","slug":"max-verstappen-hatches-plan-to-outdo-lewis-hamilton-as-leclerc-left-baffled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/racing\/f1\/max-verstappen-hatches-plan-to-outdo-lewis-hamilton-as-leclerc-left-baffled\/","title":{"rendered":"Max Verstappen hatches plan to outdo Lewis Hamilton as Leclerc left baffled"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Formula One teams are working hard to prepare their cars and drivers for an improved 2024 season after Max Verstappen and Red Bull ran away with the world titles last term. Verstappen has challenged his rivals to produce a better competition next year in a cutting call-out to the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin and McLaren.<\/p>\n

Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Red Bull have dominated F1 over the last two years, with Verstappen now winning a third consecutive drivers\u2019 title. Lewis Hamilton is still sat firmly on seven world championships and remains in pursuit of a record eighth.<\/p>\n

The Mercedes star will want a much improved 2024 after a disappointing season alongside George Russell.<\/p>\n

Express Sport brings you all the latest F1 news in our LIVE blog below\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leclerc left baffled by Hamilton<\/h3>\n

Charles Leclerc was left confused after Lewis Hamilton told him that he could see where Max Verstappen\u2019s RB19 was stronger simply by following it.<\/p>\n

However, the Ferrari star could not understand how Hamilton could make conclusions on such small details with the naked eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spoke to Lewis after Mexico, where he told me that he can see exactly where Max’s car is better,\u201d Leclerc said, Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that’s true for him, but I have to tell you that I can’t possibly recognise the details.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re talking about differences of millimetres in ground clearance or suspension travel. You can of course see whether a car has softer or harder suspension and at which points it gains time on you.<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer to look at the footage from the on-board cameras. You can see from the driver’s helmet what the car does and doesn’t do on the track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Verstappen plotting to topple Hamilton<\/h3>\n

Max Verstappen can smash yet another Lewis Hamilton record early next season.<\/p>\n

The Dutchman is just eight races away from 49 consecutive points-scoring Grands Prix.<\/p>\n

Rival Hamilton currently holds the record of 48, which the Mercedes driver earned between 2018 and 2020.<\/p>\n

Asked by Blick about breaking the record, Verstappen said it was \u201csimply a record, maybe I can break it\u201d.<\/p>\n

It comes after Verstappen enjoyed a record-smashing 2023. He had the World Championship wrapped up in October.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Welcome<\/h3>\n

Hello and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of Sunday’s Formula One news.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stay tuned throughout the day as we bring you the latest from the grid.\u00a0<\/p>\n