BREAKING: Former Red Bull Driver Debunks ‘Car Built for Verstappen’ Theory” A… read more
Former Red Bull Driver Dismisses ‘Car Built for Verstappen’ Theory
Former Red Bull junior driver Jaime Alguersuari has dismissed suggestions that the Red Bull Formula 1 car is specifically designed to suit Max Verstappen’s driving style. Instead, he attributes the Dutchman’s dominance to his superior ability to adapt and extract the maximum performance from the car in any given situation.
As Red Bull prepares for the Japanese Grand Prix, the team has made a surprising driver swap, replacing Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda. Team principal Christian Horner justified the decision as a means to both protect and develop Lawson while leveraging Tsunoda’s experience to aid in car development. The swap also fuels ongoing speculation regarding Red Bull’s car philosophy whether the RB models are built with Verstappen’s preferences in mind.
No Car Designed for One Driver
Alguersuari, however, firmly refutes the notion that Red Bull or any other F1 team would tailor a car solely to one driver’s needs. Speaking to talkSPORT, he explained that every driver must fine-tune their own setup within the parameters of the car provided.
“There’s this whole story that the car is built around Max. There’s no engineer in the world that builds a car for a certain driving style,” Alguersuari stated. “All drivers know that an understeering car is definitely slower than a slightly pointy, oversteering car. But then during the weekend, you develop your setup with your engineer, and then you have your driving style.”
Verstappen’s Unique Skillset
He emphasized Verstappen’s remarkable ability to manage different situations, asserting that it’s not about the car suiting him, but rather his exceptional skill in understanding how to drive it optimally.
“It’s crystal clear that Max has a very pointy and unique driving style, developed through years of experience. Nobody is able to cope with the problems he encounters the way he does,” Alguersuari continued. “If he starts feeling understeer or graining on the front left, the way he adapts and handles these issues is beyond what anyone else on the grid can do.”
A True F1 Great
Alguersuari went further, labeling Verstappen the “best driver ever” in Formula 1, citing his intelligence, adaptability, and unparalleled race craft. “What he did in Australia, driving a car that is not necessarily the best on the grid, was incredible. He just handles every situation better than anyone else.”
He also highlighted Verstappen’s extensive work outside of the car, saying, “F1 is about more than just driving. It’s about understanding the car’s dynamics, working with engineers, and fine-tuning setups to perfection. Max’s ability to read and interpret every aspect of performance is second to none.”
With Verstappen continuing to dominate the sport, Alguersuari’s comments offer a strong rebuttal to the notion that Red Bull’s success is purely car-dependent. Instead, they underscore Verstappen’s unparalleled talent and work ethic as the key factors behind his achievements.
