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Kubica expects Verstappen will beat Leclerc to first title

Alfa Romeo test driver Robert Kubica believes Red Bull's Max Verstappen will win the F1 world championship before Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Kubica highly rates both young talents with whom he shared the track last year during his F1 comeback season with Williams.

But the Pole believes Verstappen holds a small edge over his rival when it comes to comes to competing for the title.

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"I think Max is very intelligent and is ready to win a World Championship," Kubica told Italy's Corriere della Sera.

"It remains to be seen how he will behave fighting for a title, but I would bet on Verstappen being world champion first.

"Leclerc could have won his second race for Ferrari in Bahrain. Anyone who has been surprised by his performances means that they understand little about the drivers.

"It was normal that someone like Charles caused problems for Vettel."

Leclerc, who is set to start his third season in F1 while Verstappen will embark on his sixth year in the sport, might well agree with Kubica's assessment, the Monegasque believing he may not be quite ready for F1's supreme honour.

"If I think about becoming world champion? I don’t know what to expect, I’ve never been one," he told Sky Italia, a bit tongue-in-cheek. "But I have to work, there’s still a long way to go.

"I’m happy with the growth I’ve had so far but there’s still so much to do. I hope to succeed someday, but I’m still far away."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.