Red Bull's technical director compares Max Verstappen to Roger Feder and...

Red Bull’s technical director compares Max Verstappen to Roger Feder and…read more.

Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre Wache, recently lauded reigning world champion Max Verstappen for his extraordinary abilities, even comparing him to legendary sports figures like Roger Federer and Michael Jordan. The comparison underlines Verstappen’s dominance and exceptional talent, which has been a key factor in Red Bull’s success.

In the 2024 Formula 1 season, Red Bull made an impressive start, winning four of the first five races. It appeared that the team from Milton Keynes would continue to dominate for a third consecutive year in this era of ground-effect cars. However, the performance surge from McLaren and Ferrari shook up the field, with Ferrari taking victories in Australia and Monaco, and McLaren securing a win in Miami.

Meanwhile, Mercedes also experienced a significant resurgence. After introducing a successful upgrade in Monaco, the team based in Brackley managed to close the performance gap with Red Bull, winning three of the last four races before the summer break. Despite the increased competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, Red Bull, led by Verstappen’s brilliance, still maintains a comfortable lead in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.

Wache praised Verstappen for his ability to extract maximum performance from the car, often doing what other drivers cannot. “Some people can do things no one else can. I don’t know exactly how or why, but that’s what Max can do,” Wache said. He noted that designing a car that allows a driver like Verstappen to fully exploit its potential is a difficult task. According to Wache, even he wouldn’t be able to achieve the same results as Verstappen if he were behind the wheel himself.

The Red Bull technical director emphasized the uniqueness of Verstappen’s driving style. He explained that cars are controlled in a highly specific manner by the driver, and how the driver handles them is crucial to unlocking performance. In this regard, Verstappen’s ability to control the car is extraordinary. “He is like Roger Federer, like Michael Jordan,” Wache continued, drawing parallels between the Dutch driver and the two sporting legends, who are renowned for their ability to achieve feats that seem impossible for others.

Verstappen’s commanding presence on the track has been a defining feature of the 2024 season so far. His ability to get more out of the car than most drivers is one of the key reasons why Red Bull remains a dominant force in Formula 1, despite the recent resurgence of its rivals.

The surge in competition, particularly from McLaren and Mercedes, has added an element of unpredictability to the season. Ferrari’s win in Monaco, coupled with McLaren’s triumph in Miami, demonstrated that the gap between Red Bull and the rest of the grid is narrowing. Mercedes’ three victories in the last four races have further tightened the race at the top.

However, Verstappen’s remarkable skill has ensured that Red Bull still leads the pack. Wache’s comparison to Federer and Jordan reflects how Verstappen consistently performs at a level that sets him apart from his peers. Much like Federer’s dominance in tennis and Jordan’s unparalleled success in basketball, Verstappen’s ability to rise above the competition is what keeps him ahead in the championship race.

Wache also highlighted how crucial the driver’s role is in modern Formula 1. While teams work tirelessly to develop the fastest car possible, it’s ultimately up to the driver to control it and push it to its limits. In this regard, Verstappen excels. His mastery over the car allows him to make the most of Red Bull’s technological innovations, ensuring the team remains competitive even when rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes up their game.

The 2024 season is far from over, and the battle between Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari will likely intensify. But with Verstappen at the helm, Red Bull continues to enjoy a healthy advantage in the standings. As Wache pointed out, Verstappen’s unique talent makes him a key figure in the team’s ongoing success, much like Federer and Jordan were for their respective sports.

As the season progresses, Verstappen’s ability to do the “impossible” will be crucial in determining whether Red Bull can maintain its dominance and secure another championship. His performances thus far have certainly lived up to Wache’s lofty praise, as Verstappen continues to prove himself as one of the greatest talents in Formula 1 history.