Verstappen 'best I've ever seen' - Pujolar

Experienced engineer Xevi Pujolar says 17-year-old sensation Max Verstappen is the best driver he has seen enter formula one. Although the young Dutchman's 2015 debut initially attracted controversy and consternation, that is steadily being replaced by awe and admiration of his obvious talent and promise.

Many are beginning to compare him with the potential once shown by a young Michael Schumacher or even the legendary Ayrton Senna: "Max has given the whole team extra motivation," Pujolar, Toro Rosso's senior race engineer, told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "You know he will always bring something extra in the races. You recognise in him the difference between a potential world champion and the rest," he added.

"The best is yet to come," added Pujolar, who formerly worked at Williams with highly-rated drivers including Ralf Schumacher, Mark Webber and Juan Pablo Montoya. But he said Verstappen is "the best I've ever seen come in" to F1.

The teenager's momentum was disturbed a week ago in China, where after launching audacious overtaking moves he was en route to a points-finish before his Renault engine failed. Pujolar said: "But Max was able to show his enormous talent again, so he cannot do more than that. The next step, then, is a Sebastian Vettel-like effort to take Toro Rosso back to the podium. I think he can. With someone like Max, anything is possible."(GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • LMAO the hyperbole, we saw lots with kyvat too and now he looks ordinary. The Toro Rosso is genuinely better than the works RBR team. The sooner people realize this the faster this overhyped nonsense dies down. Cars are easier to drive than it was 10 years ago and the circumstances have come together to make a favorable illusion. Look at Erricson, Nasr are we all going to say these are all world champions of the future?

    • + 0
    • Apr 18 2015 - 11:18

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,420
  • Podiums 126
  • Grand Prix 232
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar