Max Verstappen didn’t have a decent start this season. As the Red Bull driver had to retire from the season-opener in Bahrain. So, he couldn’t bag a single point for his team. But still, the Dutchman is one of the most talented drivers on the grid, even former F1 driver agrees with this fact.

The 24-year-old lifted his maiden champion last season after a neck-to-neck battle against the seven-time world champion at the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Subsequently to the title win, the Dutchman has established himself as one of the best drivers in the world. Although he wasn’t able to dominate or even finish the 2022 season-opener, with a perfect car, Verstappen has the potential to run for his second championship.

Max Verstappen is the most naturally talented

Even the former F1 world champion Jenson Button named the Red Bull driver as the most naturally talented driver on the grid. The former F1 driver backed his statement with the fact that Verstappen comes from the bloodline of race drivers. He even rated the Dutchman more naturally talented than the Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton.

When asked who is the most naturally talented driver, the Briton answered, “Max, I don’t know, it’s natural. Isn’t it?” The journalist then asked why Button feels Max is more naturally talented than Lewis Hamilton. To which Button replied, “His parents, I guess that’s where natural ability comes from. So, you know when you look at Max’s parents. For example, my dad used to race rallycross. It’s definitely in the blood of our family.

“But with Max, his dad raced in F1 and I raced against his dad. My first points finish was in Brazil in my second race, to get that point, I had to overtake his dad. Obviously, an amazing talent and his father was one of the best car drivers ever and still probably to this day.

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“And his mum Sophie, I was teammates with her in karting. She used to be a professional kart driver and she was one of the best in the world. So, it’s definitely in the blood. So, naturally gifted, yes but I don’t know if he’s the best driver.”

Can Verstappen win the Saudi Arabian GP?

The Red Bull driver couldn’t win the season-opener, but it’s just the beginning of the 2022 F1 calendar. The driver had to quit the Bahrain GP after an issue with the fuel pump. Even his teammate Sergio Perez spun with his car because of his engine stopped. So both the drivers had to return back to Milton Keynes without any points.

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But there are still 22 races left this season and Verstappen is currently in Jeddah for the second race. Let’s see whether the Austrian constructors were able to solve the fuel pump issue in the last week after Bahrain. It would be fascinating to see whether the natural talent Verstappen will be able to complete his phenomenal flying lap during qualifying that he couldn’t in 2021.