They call him “Supermax,” a fitting moniker for a driver who has been displaying otherworldly abilities on the F1 circuit. Max Verstappen, with his extraordinary performances, has captured the imagination of fans and experts alike, much like the legendary Superman: Man of Steel. However, is there more to Verstappen’s success than meets the eye? F1 expert Peter Windsor unravels the mystery behind Verstappen’s triumphs, suggesting that his achievements extend beyond the form of the driver alone.
The intense competition between Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez at the start of the season generated significant buzz within the F1 community. Yet, as the races progressed, Verstappen showcased his mettle, outperforming every driver on the grid with a lead of 69 points and solidifying his position as not just Red Bull‘s but F1’s leading driver. What makes Verstappen’s success truly remarkable is the contrasting perspective offered by Peter Windsor. In an F1 live session, Windsor, who himself had a modest driving career downplayed the significance of Verstappen’s “form.”
In response to a question about the factors contributing to a driver’s form, despite the robotic precision displayed by Verstappen, he indicated that his form may not be the sole reason for his success. Windsor stated, “Max Verstappen is in really good form at the moment you can say but I wouldn’t. I would say he’s a very good driver doing what he does well in a phenomenally good racing car with a very good engineer.“ This statement highlights the importance of not only Verstappen’s skills but also the seamless integration between the driver, car, and the technical team.
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Verstappen’s performances this season have been nothing short of extraordinary. With six victories out of eight races, including a grand slam in Spain, he has established himself among the greats of F1 by equaling the legendary Ayrton Senna.
Windsor further claimed even Lewis Hamilton in RB19 cannot beat Max Verstappen
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The rivalry and bromance between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have been a highlight of recent F1 seasons. However, since their epic battle for the 2021 World Championship, they have not had the opportunity to compete in near-equal machinery. Verstappen’s subsequent dominance with Red Bull has left Hamilton and Mercedes playing catch-up, but what if Hamilton were alongside Verstappen in the Red Bull RB19?
According to Windsor, if Verstappen and Hamilton were teammates in the RB19, it would be Verstappen who would ultimately secure the Drivers’ title. The key factor lies in the partnership between Verstappen and Red Bull’s renowned design chief, Adrian Newey. Windsor explains that Verstappen and Newey share a symbiotic relationship, with a deep understanding of each other’s strengths and capabilities. While Hamilton might initially outqualify Verstappen by a small margin, over the course of a season, it would be nearly impossible to surpass the Verstappen-Newey partnership.
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The hypothetical scenario of Verstappen and Hamilton as teammates in the RB19 is enough to give chills. As we witness Verstappen’s unparalleled performances, we can’t help but wonder: Can anyone truly crack the code behind his astonishing success?
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