Former Formulation 1 chief Bernie Eccestone by no means misses a possibility to go away controversial headlines wherever he goes, and now he has made a daring assertion about Max Verstappen.
The Pink Bull star has gained three consecutive world titles and dominated the 2023 season, profitable 19 of the 22 races as he broke the file for variety of wins and factors amassed by a driver in a single season.
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And the billionaire, 93, believes Verstappen has set the bar for the remainder of the 19 drivers in F1, claiming he would win within the subsequent three quickest automobiles in addition to his Pink Bull.
“They’ve patiently endured Mercedes’ dominance, changing every weak hyperlink one after the other, creating the very best crew, the very best design, the very best automobile and the very best driver. Christian Horner has carried out a wonderful job,” Ecclestone advised Sport Bild.
“Max is at present the benchmark in each subject. You could possibly additionally put him in a McLaren, and doubtless in a Ferrari or a Mercedes, and he would nonetheless win.”
Verstappen is aware of higher than anybody that with out a aggressive automobile, it’s unattainable to win past the occasional race – as the identical occurred to the 26-year-old himself between 2015 and 2020.
Throughout these six seasons, he by no means got here near profitable the world championship, first with Toro Rosso after which in 5 extra years at Pink Bull, as Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton loved a interval dominance.
The Dutchman isn’t any stranger to that conditioning issue, regardless of how sensible his driving is.
Mercedes within the firing line
The veteran supremo additionally took purpose at Mercedes for his or her underachievement in 2023, regardless of the actual fact the Silver Arrows completed second within the constructors’ championship.
“[Lewis] Hamilton missed a bit and [George] Russell wasn’t nearly as good as he thought he could be. Nonetheless, they should not have misplaced so dramatically,” Ecclestone added.
“The one who impresses me most is the younger Australian Oscar Piastri, who’s 22 years previous. He will certainly be a champion.”
