According to Franz Tost, the former highly respected team principal of Toro Rosso, Max Verstappen has such an advantage over the field that he would practically win with anything.
Franz Tost believes that Verstappen's speed not only brings success after success for his team, but also saves them a lot of money:
"I think all teams would happily race him because he is fundamentally three tenths faster than everyone else. And that is an incredible advantage.
He is a truly special driver, faster than anyone else by default, plus he is so mentally strong, and he combines this with his talent in crucial moments in a way that no one else can. This is what makes him outstanding, to the point that he could practically win with anything. With a bit of exaggeration, he could beat the field with a tractor... I experienced it myself when last year during a Ferrari GT car test, he was immediately two seconds faster than everyone else. He incredibly controls and understands speed, which is why he can immediately adapt to any car.
Of course, the car needs to be tuned to fit him as well as possible, but Verstappen gives his team three tenths of a second per lap. And this is not just a track advantage, but also a serious economic factor. Achieving such a plus even with a well-executed development is impossible, and even if it is achieved, it still costs millions. This is what Max's class saves..." - reflected Franz Tost on Max Verstappen's versatility.
Photo: Red Bull
