Lewis Hamilton ready for epic F1 title fight with Max Verstappen

SAKHIR: The Formula One season promises to be an exciting one after world champion Lewis Hamilton barely held off Max Verstappen on Sunday in Bahrain.

It will take some time to judge whether Verstappen's Red Bull team are really capable of dethroning Hamilton's Mercedes outfit after seven years at the top but they seem to have a car that can finally give Mercedes a real fight until the end.

"There is a long way to go, 22 (races) ... Holy crap! I will be grey by the end of this," Hamilton said, DPA news reports. Verstappen meanwhile considered: "we'll have 22 more opportunities to do better.

"We have to look at the positives, we are taking the fight to Mercedes and I think that's great, it's good to start the season this way," the Dutchman added.

Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff said: "We have a real fight on our hands - and we're all excited about the prospect of a really close battle for these championships."

The next duel comes on April 18 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, and Hamilton vowed he wants to prove again that he can also win races while not having the best car. IANS

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