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Max Verstappen is impressing the Formula One paddock, a season and a half into his F1 career.
The young Dutchman, who graduated from Karting to F1 - via Formula Three - in just two years, took his third podium finish of the year last weekend in Great Britain and is widely considered to be the sport's hottest prospect.
"Verstappen was brilliant," said Spain's El Pais newspaper. "The world championship is lucky to have this 18-year-old genius. Verstappen is the new Senna."
"How he passed Rosberg around the outside can only be described as world-class," said three-time champion Sir Jackie Stewart. "We already know who the world champion of the future is."
Despite his strong performances so far in F1 and in his junior career, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner continues to be impressed by the 18-year-old.
"Max continues to surprise us," said Horner. "He has already shown in 2016 what a class driver he is, and to have two fully competitive drivers is great news for us as a team."
Robert Doornbos, the last Dutch driver to race in F1 - coincidentally with Red Bull as well - believes that despite only being in the team since May, Verstappen already has the upper-hand over team mate Daniel Ricciardo.
"Since Max has been on the team, the car has gotten better and better," he told the Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport Totaal.
"Whether it's a coincidence or something to do with Max I don't know, but in any case the smile on Ricciardo's face is smaller and the one on Max's face is bigger."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Replies (1)
Login to replyCloxxki
Posts: 13
I read a comment that Ricciardo has had a quite stable deficit to the winning Mercedes cars from the beginning of the year. It's just that Max is closer to the Mercedes pace. As I see it, taking a good chuck out of the deficit.
Over 1 lap in Q3 I will not gamble against Ricciardo, but based on the last few races, Max doesn't seem to qualify at the front to get a good result. This we saw already at Toro Rosso, where Sainz was made to look as if he just didn't try once off the back. Ricciardo gave that impression at Silverstone also, even in post race interviews.
Is it easy to become "soft" in F1 races? Consolidate 4t in stead of get as close to 3rd as possible? In retrospect, Rosberg has shown that to be worth the effort for 2 races in a row.
We saw Max fighing back in Spa and especially Singapore. Even Monaco this year until he thought too easily of it, or lost concentration. It seems to help his race pace to be off the back. Sainz and Ricciardo, I don't get that same vibe from.