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Is Verstappen the perfect driver? Newey: "I think he is"
Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Häkkinen, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen all have one thing in common. All became world champions in an F1 car designed by Adrian Newey. The designer, who has now worked for Red Bull Racing for more than 15 years, called Verstappen the "perfect driver" in an interview with Sky Sports
All the F1 world champions mentioned had their own way of working, Newey explained. Mansell radiated with confidence, Prost's approach was much more methodical and the Frenchman was also very articulate. Hakkinen didn't say much, but what he said, you had to 'interpret well and take in'. Vettel was right again a huge thinker and was known for his long debriefs.
What about Verstappen?
"Max is more in the middle. So very different characters but all phenomenal in their own right," said Newey, who was then asked if he thinks Verstappen is the perfect driver. " I think he is. He's got tremendous car control and natural ability."
Verstappen made his debut for the then Toro Rosso in 2015, but after just 23 GP weekends he was promoted to Red Bull. It was there that Newey first met the now two-time world champion. "He came in, maybe made some mistakes early on because he was pushing so hard, but now he's really smooth and drives absolutely to the limit of the car, but within that he's very thoughtful."