Rookies Verstappen and Sainz deny F1 is 'easy'

Toro Rosso's young rookies have hit back at claims formula one is increasingly "easy". With the unprecedentedly-young Max Verstappen, 17, and 20-year-old Spaniard Carlos Sainz thriving this year despite their inexperience, many critics see it as a sure sign the pinnacle of motor sport is not as difficult as it once was.

But Dutchman Verstappen told Brazil's UOL Esporte: "I do not think that formula one is getting easier. The point is that, from an early age, you are able to prepare much better now than you could 20 years ago. Because everything is more professional," he said. "The result is that drivers are coming in sooner," Verstappen added.

Sainz, who according to his boss Franz Tost has also done an "excellent" job in 2015, agrees. He cited examples like Rafael Nadal (tennis), Michael Phelps (swimming) and MotoGP's Marc Marquez, insisting athletes in the 21st century are increasingly breaking through and dominating from a very early age.

Sainz said: "Anyone who thinks that F1 is easy must also think the same about all sports, because we are seeing people coming through earlier and earlier. Why would this not happen in F1 too?" he added. "The same happened in MotoGP but nobody talks about that getting easier. But it is a global trend because young people are better prepared." (GMM)

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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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
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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
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United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
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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
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5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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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
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