Timo Glock is impressed by the way the younger generation of Formula 1 drivers such as Max Verstappen and George Russell are coping against the experienced drivers in the sport.
New talent is constantly entering Formula 1. Verstappen, Russell, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris are seen as the next generation in the sport who will take over from older drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Glock is impressed by the new talent in the sport, but especially by Verstappen. The Dutchman is very close to his second world title. "It feels like he’s turning Formula 1 upside down at the moment. The way he dominates, how he grew up being so competitive against Lewis," the German says in the Beyond the Grid podcast.
Glock impressed by Verstappen and Russell
"Lewis being the older guy as well as Alonso being so experienced, still having the hunger and being so motivated to beat the young guys. It’s just really interesting to see," the former F1 driver continues. Russell, driving alongside Hamilton for the first time this season, is also impressing Glock. The Briton is currently above Hamilton in the drivers' championship.
"It's very interesting to see what the young guys, when they come up next to the big hero, Lewis Hamilton, how they learn from them and how they very quickly understand what to do and adapt to it and take it on board and do it themselves.”
Now that Lewis has been confirmed as no more than a capable mid field competitor on an even playing field, I look forward to the challenges Max faces against the current gifted talents with the likes of Charles, George and Lando as the most likely.
Given that Lewis beat 2 x WDC Alonso (considered by many to be one of "the greats") in his first ever season in F1 (in the same car), why is it that you only rate his as a "capable mid field competitor" ? Do you think Alonso to be a worse driver than Lewis?
We are interested in comparing the drivers present day performances. What relevance is their talents 15 years ago compared to the current crop of very patented young drivers today .... when most of them were under 10 years old at that time?
I guess I'm wondering at what point Lewis is considered to have fallen from being probably the fastest driver on the grid to now being "confirmed" as only being a mid-fielder.
When analyzing the sector times in the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, it is evident how Glock slowed to give Lewis a championship. At the time, they were best friends. Glock's precipitous increase in lap time did not correspond with the advent of heavy rain as did his teammate Trulli. Glock's time fell off much more in particular sectors as Lewis began to close in. Glock's time in the rain fell off far more than Trulli despite being previously much faster in wet and dry. The data tells a story. That is a championship that Lewis did NOT deserve.
Its not fair to compare a couple of the most talented drivers in F1 today, at the peek (or just coming to their peek) of their careers vs a few ex champions whose best days are behind them.
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