Max Verstappen Continues to Impress Red Bull with Exc… Read More
Despite being in his tenth Formula 1 season with Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen still finds ways to astonish his team, particularly Team Principal Christian Horner. Over the years, the Dutchman has developed a reputation for extracting the absolute maximum from his car—something that even his teammates have consistently struggled to replicate.
According to Horner, Verstappen has been performing at an elite level for several seasons now, notably since 2020 and 2021. However, what continues to impress Red Bull is how he keeps pushing the envelope, achieving performance levels that are unexpected even by the team’s high standards. Horner described Verstappen’s ability as something that still “surprises us with the levels he can hit,” despite his already well-established dominance.
Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from the team in 2019, no teammate has come close to matching Verstappen’s prowess. Red Bull has seen several drivers partner with the Dutch star—including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, and briefly Liam Lawson—yet none have been able to consistently challenge him. Most recently, Yuki Tsunoda has taken up the role, but the results remain the same: Verstappen continues to dominate.
A major reason behind this dominance is Red Bull’s strategy of tailoring the car around Verstappen’s unique driving style. Known for preferring a car with a very responsive and sharp front end—often described as “pointy” or “nervous”—Verstappen thrives under conditions that many other drivers find difficult to handle. This extreme setup plays to his strengths but creates challenges for his teammates, effectively cementing his status as a “team-mate killer” in the sport.
Verstappen’s approach and adaptability not only highlight his driving genius but also reflect his ability to evolve. Even after winning four world championships and securing 64 Grand Prix victories, he remains hungry for improvement, pushing boundaries that few others can. His dominance is not simply a product of a superior car but also of his unmatched ability to push its performance to new heights.
In conclusion, while Red Bull continues to provide Verstappen with race-winning machinery, it is his exceptional driving talent and relentless pursuit of perfection that keeps setting him apart. As Horner noted, Verstappen’s continued evolution and capacity to surprise even the most experienced figures in Formula 1 underline just how special he truly is.
