Adrian Newey has heaped reward on Max Verstappen, lauding him for his “maturity” and skill to close out exterior noise.
Verstappen is already one among F1’s most profitable drivers.
With 4 world titles, solely Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Juan Manuel Fangio have extra.
Verstappen moved into third on the all-time checklist for podiums following the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, behind solely Hamilton and Schumacher.
The Dutchman has received all 4 of his titles in Newey-designed equipment.
Verstappen beat Hamilton to the 2021 title, profitable the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He then claimed two dominant championships in 2022 and 2023, operating away with each titles.
His 2024 marketing campaign was arguably his most spectacular, seeing off McLaren’s late-season cost to seal the championship.
Newey defined what units Verstappen aside from most different drivers.
“Max, now I believe, is totally excellent as nicely. He’s not had the simplest upbringing, I don’t assume that’s a secret, however his maturity is wonderful,” Newey stated.
“His capability to deal with stress, take in stress, he appears to have this capability the place no matter is occurring in his life, when he places that helmet on and will get within the automobile, all of the noise is switched off and he can simply exit and race, which is mightily spectacular in a sportsman, I believe.”
Senna was “excellent”
Newey additionally named Ayrton Senna as one of many standout drivers he labored with.
Senna joined Williams for the 1994 F1 season.
Newey didn’t get the prospect to work with Senna for lengthy because of the Brazilian’s tragic accident on the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Reflecting on his time working with the three-time world champion, Newey stated:
“Ayrton, sadly, was solely a really brief relationship. I imply, what mightily impressed me, once we have been speaking about drivers having pursuits exterior of what they’re at all times doing.
“Ayrton, after I was at Williams, late 1993, he got here to the manufacturing facility for the primary time. And I used to be given the privilege by Frank [Williams] and Patrick [Head] of exhibiting Ayrton across the manufacturing facility.
“So, he bought to the wind tunnel and right away, he was down on his palms and knees, trying on the again on the rear suspension, noticed that that was a bit totally different to something that had been achieved earlier than, asking all about it, why had we achieved this, why had we achieved that, what was the aim of this, and many others.
“I wanted to be on my toes to reply his questions. So I believe Ayrton, doubtless, was excellent.”
