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Max Verstappen's driving style is very similar to that of 1992 Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell according to Red Bull's Adrian Newey. Verstappen has impressed the field in his two season's in F1, pulling off some spectacular overtakes.
Newey designed the FW14B, Mansell's championship winning car, and has worked with a vast number of drivers. However he feels that Verstappen is more similar to Mansell than Senna or Schumacher who have been previously suggested, particularly after his overtake frenzy in Brazil last year.
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"Max has been an exciting newcomer, well not newcomer as it was his second year strictly speaking last year," said Newey. "But the way he drove the car did remind me of Nigel's driving style. What was dramatic about Mansell was that you always knew it was him in the car. He had an almost metaphoric elbows out driving style. Max is the same and it is exciting television."
Despite impressing with his attacking, his defensive techniques have been criticized, forcing the FIA to introduce a rule to halt his manoeuvres and prevent others from doing likewise.
"It's very reminiscent of Nigel," added Newey. "It's that sort of 'I'm not going to be bullied, I'm going to do my thing and if you don't like it it's your problem' approach."
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