Lewis Hamilton tips ‘smooth-sailing’ Max Verstappen to defend his title

RIVALS: Lewis Hamilton has tipped Max Verstappen to win the world championship. Pic: Tim Goode/PA

Lewis Hamilton expects Max Verstappen to cruise to his second world championship – describing the Red Bull driver’s path to probable glory as “smooth-sailing”.

Verstappen racked up the seventh win of his title defence at Sunday’s French Grand Prix after rival Charles Leclerc crashed out from the lead.