Lewis Hamilton is currently going through one of the toughest seasons in recent times, or probably the toughest season in the last 10 years, as the Mercedes driver is yet to see him cross the finish line before anyone else. The Briton is no longer in a place where he could dominate, believes the Dutch racing driver.

Dutch driver Renger van der Zande is of the opinion that age has caught up to Lewis Hamilton this year. Being 37 years of age, Hamilton’s overtakes are no longer convincing. Moreover, the Briton is not in a place to give strong performances due to a less competitive car as compared to the F1-75 or RB18, Zande believes.

Talking to Formule1, van der Zande was asked, “Is Lewis Hamilton over the top?” To this, he replied, “I don’t think it’s cool to see, but you wonder if he’s over the top.”

“His car is less, but his overtakes are no longer as convincing as before, you see doubt in his driving. Perhaps a combination of age and that he has lost momentum”

READ MORE: Former F1 Driver Claims Max Verstappen to be a Once-in-a-Generation Talent Compares Him to Greats Like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton

As a matter of fact, Lewis Hamilton is still without a win this season, something he has never experienced before.

Renger van der Zande believes Max Verstappen is confident

While the Dutch driver Zande opened up on the drawbacks of the Silver Arrows ace, he also talked about what makes Verstappen stand out from the rest and be better than his 2021 rival Lewis Hamilton.

In the same report, he asserted, “Max, on the other hand, is so confident that he can make decisive actions and has a way out if it doesn’t work out.”

“At the same time, you know, even with all the good results, that the weather will be bad. After sun comes rain, and vice versa. I have often experienced this myself, and Max will also have it in the back of his mind,” concluded the 36-year-old.

In a season of contrasting performances, Verstappen and Hamilton see each other in a different place than they did in 2021. While they fought for the championship last year till the very last lap of the last race, in 2022, it was quite the opposite.

WATCH THIS STORY: Daniel Ricciardo Pushed Aside as Lewis Hamilton Takes The Spotlight With Avid F1 Fan

While Verstappen is in P1, already taken the championship home, Hamilton struggles to keep up with his new teammate George Russell.