Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone never misses an opportunity to share his perspective on what was once his motorsport series. The statements of the British former business magnate, sometimes direct and controversial, are almost always a subject of debate precisely because they are pronounced by one of the most prominent figures in Formula 1 history.
In a recent interview with a German publication, the British entrepreneur praised Max Verstappen: “Max is currently the benchmark in all areas. You could even put him in a McLaren, and probably in a Ferrari or a Mercedes, and he would still win.” The Dutch phenomenon is destined to rewrite the history of the category; however, Max in his already long career has not experienced realities other than those of the Red Bull universe. In conditions of technical inferiority during Mercedes’ dominance, he still stood out for talent, boldness, and aggression; nevertheless, these qualities were not enough to interrupt the dominance of the Silver Arrows.
As often happens in the top tier of motorsport, titles came when the machinery provided by the Milton Keynes-based team (especially Honda) matched the excellence of the Dutch driver. Bernie Ecclestone’s judgment is probably influenced by the stark comparison between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, in which the Mexican driver was completely overshadowed.
Many insiders still question the added value of Max Verstappen in the successes of the team led by Christian Horner, precisely due to the glaring difference between the two drivers of the championship-winning team.
It is by no means guaranteed that the three-time world champion can make a difference with any top-tier machinery. Bernie Ecclestone himself favored Michael Schumacher’s move to Scuderia Ferrari, the only undisputed ace in Formula 1 after the tragic death of Ayrton Senna. Despite the embarrassing superiority of the driver from Kerpen compared to his colleagues, the return to success for the Prancing Horse was a lengthy process, aided by the team’s growth in all its areas.
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To be clear, Michael Schumacher demonstrated in 1996 that he could secure poles and win races with mediocre machinery, but to contend for the Formula 1 title, top-notch technicians were needed in Maranello. For this reason, perhaps Max’s driving skills alone at the service of Ferrari or McLaren would not be enough to revive the glory days of the Prancing Horse or the Woking-based team. Unless, in such an egocentric individual, the need for a new challenge emerges, erasing forever the commonplace belief that his successes are solely the result of superior machinery. Stimulated by his manager Willi Weber, Michael Schumacher succumbed to the allure of the (slightly) Prancing Horse of the 1990s in the hope of reviving the team from Maranello. As for Max Verstappen, who knows…
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