Max Verstappen is but to achieve his peak, says former F1 group boss

Former Formulation 1 group principal Otmar Szafnauer believes Max Verstappen is continuous to enhance and has nonetheless not reached his peak efficiency.

Throughout an episode of the Excessive Efficiency Racing podcast alongside host Jake Humphrey and former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, Szafnauer mentioned the standout drivers he has encountered throughout his profession within the paddock.

When Humphrey prompted the panel to call the best drivers they’d labored alongside and competed in opposition to, Szafnauer named four-time champion Sebastian Vettel as the most effective driver he had labored with earlier than turning his consideration to the fiercest rivals he had confronted whereas on the pitwall.

“Biggest I labored with, Vettel. Biggest I went up in opposition to, robust both Michael [Schumacher] or Lewis [Hamilton],” Szafnauer defined.

When requested why he did not think about four-time champion Verstappen, he added: “Properly, I do not assume Max is at his peak but. I believe he will get higher.”

Verstappen presently sits sixth within the drivers’ standings with 109 factors, 110 factors behind championship chief Kimi Antonelli. Whereas rumours have linked Verstappen to retirement or a transfer to both Mercedes or McLaren, the Dutchman has confirmed his dedication to Pink Bull. 

Otmar Szafnauer

Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photographs by way of Getty Photographs

The 28-year-old driver signed a contract extension that can maintain him with the Milton Keynes outfit till the top of 2030. Verstappen defined in a Q&A session following the contract announcement that he hopes to proceed successful races and championships with the group. 

“It is like a second household for me,” Verstappen defined. “And naturally, I got here into this group hoping for, you recognize, with the ability to win races and that we’ve received 4 titles collectively.

“Plus, in fact, working once more in direction of that aim. It is one thing that may be very thrilling. That is why I really feel at residence right here.
 
“I am simply very pleased with the extension. I hope the group is as properly. I am very completely happy. Hopefully, we are able to simply maintain working collectively and attempt to get again to the highest.”

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– The Motorsport.com Crew