Max Verstappen is fighting for his fifth consecutive world championship title: Why the Red Bull driver is an “exceptional talent” and what sets him apart from other drivers
Max Verstappen is back at the top of Formula 1: for the Dutchman, defending his title is suddenly within reach again. If he succeeds, it would be his fifth consecutive world championship victory—a feat that only record world champion Michael Schumacher has achieved so far.
That’s not the only reason why many experts, including Timo Glock, consider the current world champion to be an exceptional talent. “First of all, there’s his technical understanding,” says the former Formula 1 driver on Sky. “The collaboration with his engineer, constantly sitting in the simulator, driving, trying things out—his body knows nothing else.”
Added to this, however, is his extraordinary ability to drive a race car at the limit. “And there are many things,” Glock emphasizes, adding: “I always had the impression that he was already five meters or 50 meters ahead and knew what was coming.”
“That was particularly impressive on the Nordschleife when he overtook a car on the grass in wet conditions,” recalls the Sky expert, referring to the Red Bull driver’s successful adventure. “Anyone else would have been wide-eyed. But he already knew what was going to happen at that moment.”
Verstappen stands out with his “zero error rate”
“He simply anticipates what will happen, can read very accurately how starts will develop and where he needs to position himself in a duel.” Although this is “outstanding,” it is not the four-time Formula 1 world champion’s greatest strength, according to Glock.
“What really sets him apart at the moment is his zero error rate,” adds the 43-year-old. “And his ability to deliver at the decisive moment – in qualifying, in Q3 – to get that one perfect lap, in my opinion, he is by far the best at that.”
Someone who has known Verstappen for many years is the current Sauber team boss Jonathan Wheatley, who previously worked as sporting director at Red Bull. “I was lucky enough to work with a very young Max, and I really enjoyed it,” recalls the Briton.
Wheatley: Verstappen “an extraordinary talent”
“Seeing him mature… it sounds almost strange to talk about him today, because he’s now the complete package,” says Wheatley, before praising the Dutchman in the highest terms: “A consummate world champion. An extraordinary talent.”
“Of course, he shapes his team around him in the way he believes will get the best performance out of them,” reveals the 58-year-old. “That’s exactly what he’s looking for, always and everywhere. He’s a force of nature. But the team around Max is solid, well-known and has enormous depth and strength in the organization.”
“It’s quite obvious that the teamwork there is excellent,” says Wheatley, looking back on his former team. “And personally, I’m also very happy for Laurent [Mekies, team boss]. He’s a good friend of mine, and it’s nice to see him enjoying such a successful phase at Red Bull.” Thanks to Verstappen.
