That is the opinion of Tom Clarkson, the host of FIA (International Automobile Federation) press conferences – when witnessing the winning trend of “Crazy” Verstappen on F1 tracks this season. Up to this point, the infamous Dutch F1 driver has won two races: the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix; In addition, he finished second at the Saudi Arabian Grand Priz race, where teammate Serigo Perez was crowned…Max is crowned Australian Grand Prix 2023
Clarkson shared on the F1 Nation podcast about Mad Max’s desire to the point of… cruelty, having witnessed him win 17/25 races recently and before that, proving himself as a driver racing for Red Bull team – when he won 15 races last season (setting a record for the driver who won the most races in a season).
“I have never met a driver who wants success as much as Max Verstappen. He doesn’t just want to win. He wants to destroy all the riders around him, the closest competitors to him, and one of the classic cases to describe this is the race in Saudi.”
“He started the race in 15th place, but he raced a brilliant Grand Prix, and finished the race as runner-up; However, he was still really disappointed after the race, and walked off the track saying, “I’m not here to finish the race in second place,” Clarkson recounted about Max’s condition. in Saudi Arabia.
“Many, many people, other people, will think it was a wonderful weekend. Just look at Perez for example (Mexican racer, Max’s Red Bull Team teammate, who won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix), he finished 5th at the Australian Grand Prix and he really feel happy.”
“As for me, I can’t imagine, Verstappen simply feels happy with 5th place overall, even starting from the pit-lane. His mentality is unique. Yes, Lewis Hamilton is very competitive, of course he is, like Charles Leclerc, but there is a ruthlessness in Max that I don’t see in the others. Simply a serial winner.”
“As long as the Red Bull Racing Team is competing for races, and championships, simply put, Max will continue to win. He is one of those riders who never gets bored with series victories. The more he wins, the more he wants to win,” Clarkson described.
As for Clarkson, he sees similarities between Max and Fernando Alonso and says it’s “scary” to think how good the Dutchman will be: “When I look at Max, I don’t see any weaknesses.” any. I think, he is strong everywhere. He goes through a lap very quickly. I think his ability to overtake on the track and take a position higher than his starting position is very good. He ran a very excellent race.”
Max and Alonso have many similarities
“In fact, the more I look at Max, the more he reminds me of Fernando Alonso. Is he the fastest driver to lap a race? He’s extremely fast. He’s definitely in the top 3 on the grid. But he’s the fastest racing guy? Same race car, him or Charles Leclerc, who is faster? Uncertain”.
“But who is fastest in a race? I really think there’s no one faster than Max Verstappen. He’s like a metronome. One race after another. He just charges straight ahead and combines that with a ruthless attitude when passing opponents and then you have a class winner.”