The Formula 1 grid is full of young talents who, little by little, are gaining access to the best seats in the category. The oldest on the grid, together with Räikkönen, has singled out one of them as the most prepared.
At present, the level of the Formula 1 It is spectacular. And it is that, in addition to having four world champions (no less than 14 titles in total), it is nourished by the great talents of the lower categories, who are also being able to confirm its potential.
We talk about Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, George Russell or the most prominent of all: Max verstappen. A driver who made his debut at the age of 17 and who, at 23, already has 133 Grand Prix experience and 17 victories in Formula 1.
“If I got Max out of Red Bull, maybe I’d have a better chance”
It is not surprising, therefore, that Fernando Alonso I point to him as the future, even admitting that he is the driver he fears the most as a direct rival for a world title.
“At the moment, Max is the only one with whom I would not be happy to compete”, says the Alpine pilot. «I respect Max a lot. So right now in the Red Bull environment with his team, with his experience there, I don’t think that many drivers can join Red Bull and beat Max. If I got Max out of Red Bull, maybe I would have a better chance. “
Spectacular evolution
Max Verstappen began his career in the top flight in 2015, when he had only completed one season in single-seaters, specifically in Formula 3. This made, during the first years, his inexperience evident, although he managed to stand out and achieve a opportunity in Red bull racing.
Now the Dutchman is a much more mature and prepared driver, being able to complete full seasons with minimal errors. «I think he is at the peak of his performance, I consider him the best in the paddock at the moment. His improvement was very noticeable in the first years. It already started at a high level but, sometimes, suffering some accidents here and there, perhaps too much aggressiveness in some of the movements and things like that, ”Alonso recalls.
“Now, I think he reached a very high level of maturity and, with his natural speed, now it is quite difficult to beat for anyone. So I think it is the favorite for this year and probably for the years to come, “he concludes.