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Red Bull mechanic waxes lyrical over Verstappen: 'He's just exceptional'
Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas, who has worked with Max Verstappen since 2016, has developed immense respect for the Dutchman over the years. Speaking on the High-Performance Podcast, Nicholas shared insights into what makes Verstappen so exceptional.
"I think with Max, it’s one of those things like all of us from 2016, you know, that first race with the team, I think it was so obvious that there was just like this raw, untamed talent in Max that was going to be incredible. Obviously, after that win, the rest of 2016, 2017, car failures and crashes and things like that. And I think what’s made Max so great now is that he’s mastered all those other little things," Nicholas began, noting Verstappen's change in maturity.
"You know, like his awareness of what else is going on in a race, like his ability to sort of control a race. He just does, I think he’s so formidable because he just does everything well. You know, the thing that you’ve seen in past champions is that it’s not just about one bit of talent or speed or whatever, it’s that they manage everything in the paddock so well," continued the Briton.
"You know, certainly in terms of like we’ve watched Max mature into this guy that just seems untouchable. So yeah, he’s very special.”
Verstappen keeps an eye on everything
Nicholas reflected on Verstappen’s dominance in 2023 and early 2024, noting that while the Dutchman was effortlessly setting the fastest laps and leading races, he was also multitasking behind the wheel. "So before a safety car’s called, he’s seen the crash that’s happened on the screen on another part of the circuit. And he’s like, right, well, let’s be ready to pit or whatever, there could be a safety car here. What are we doing?" Partly because of this, Verstappen can make quick decisions during stressful moments in the race. Other drivers might not have picked up on the same minuscule details that Verstappen has, for example.
"That spare capacity to be doing all of that, talking on the radio and still find time to sort of be looking over here while he’s driving and sort of seeing what else is going on in the race. He will know when his nearest competitor is pitted because he will see them on the screens coming down the pit lane. So then he’s ready. He’s ready for the next lap or whatever it is. And it’s, yes, it’s something, something else.” The engineer has tremendous respect for the way Verstappen manages races, staying one step ahead of his competition. "He knows exactly when his direct competitor has pitted because he sees them on the screens in the pit lane, and then he is ready. He's ready for the next lap or whatever.
"And it’s, yes, it’s something, something else.”
This article was written in collaboration with Kim Hoefnagel
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