Formula 1 News: Max Verstappen called “Best on the Planet”

Max Verstappen’s drive at the F1 São Paulo Grand Prix last Sunday left his opponents thoroughly defeated and those watching knowing they were probably witnessing the greatest driver of all-time.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The Red Bull driver won the race in treacherous wet conditions from 17th on the grid, and it was just the last of many times Verstappen has demoralized his opposition.

In the wet, he is as good, and most likely better than even Ayrton Senna. He has the uncanny ability to find grip and make moves that drivers with less talent simply cannot do.

Mark Webber, the ex-F1 driver and now manager of Oscar Piastri, was also blown away by Verstappen.

Webber told Channel 4 about whether the São Paulo GP was Verstappen’s best performance: “It’s up there…

“There weren’t many people even close to being able to make the moves that he did.

“He looked comfortable. The grip he had in slow corners, the way he manipulated the car, driving very straight, very clean.

“I don’t think I even saw him go wide, or off, for the whole race which is extraordinary.

“We know he has a phenomenal list of incredible drives. But that was an absolute statement saying ‘I am the best on the planet’.”

“Extraordinary drive from Verstappen. He punched his way through, picking those guys off.

“He was the only one able to find an opportunity to get moves done. The others struggled to find the grip.

“He was just creative, brave, decisive.

“They knew he was coming before the red. He hit a roadblock before the first red flag.”Red Bull rolled the dice, they said ‘we are not going to pit’. The strategy from Red Bull was awesome, as well.”

Verstappen Demoralized Title Opponent Lando Norris

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan and former McLaren and Red Bull driver David Coulthard, on their Formula For Success podcast,  said Lando Norris is not at the level of Verstappen.

Lando has not quite got there yet. He has not got there on the start, he has not got there on the pole position run to the corner. He has the speed, beyond any doubt.

“He has got the speed, but there is nothing in me that tells me that I have seen in Lando something that I saw what Max could do on Sunday. Nothing. I am sorry, it is just not there.

“So Lando has to look at himself long and hard this winter into the mirror and say to himself, ‘If I am going to be a great world champion, I have a lot to learn here, and I need to start replaying those videos about what it really is like to be hard, tough and victorious’. I am sorry, at this moment in time, he has not got it.”

Coulthard disagreed and replied: “For me, I think Lando has it. I think Lando will deliver it.”

But Jordan thinks Norris should have more than the three race wins he has to show for his efforts and added: “He d***ed around on the podium, he d***ed around on the start line. Honestly, how many races should he have won this year?”

TBD: To Be Determined