Red Bull driver Max Verstappen believes that he has what it takes to beat six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Dutchman enjoyed the best season of his career in 2019 by winning in Austria, Germany and Brazil on his way to finishing third in the Drivers’ Championship.

Verstappen was, however, over 150 points behind Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings and 48 points behind the second Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas.

Ahead of the start of the 2020 campaign, the 22-year-old believes that his Aston-Martin Red Bull team can present a stronger title challenge.

“Lewis is very good. He is definitely one of the best out there. He is not God, maybe God is with him but he is not God.

“If we start the season within two-tenths of Mercedes we can mount pressure, I am pretty sure that we can do better.”

Verstappen is widely considered to be one of the hottest properties in Formula One, having raced in over 100 Grands Prix and achieving eight victories to date.

The talented young driver recently ended speculation regarding his Red Bull future by signing a new long-term deal until 2023 at the start of the year.

Verstappen said: “I want to win with Red Bull and our goal is, of course, to fight for a World Championship together.”

Ferrari, meanwhile, has also put their faith in another young driver Charles Leclerc, who has signed up to the Italian manufacturer until 2024.

While both Hamilton and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel’s contracts are set to run out at the end of the year.

It certainly seems then that Ferrari and Aston-Martin Red Bull have secured the stars of the next generation.