Martin Brundle does not hide his admiration for Max Verstappen following his fourth consecutive world title. In his column for Sky Sports, Brundle describes the achievements of the Red Bull driver as nothing short of ‘superhuman’.
Following in the Footsteps of Legends
With his fourth title, Verstappen joins an exclusive list of Formula 1 greats. “Only six drivers have won four or more titles. The list of names such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and now Max Verstappen is impressive,” says Brundle.
Brundle emphasizes that other legends like Ayrton Senna and Jim Clark might have also belonged to this list if their careers had not been prematurely ended. According to the Brit, placing Verstappen’s name among these icons perfectly illustrates how extraordinary his achievements are. “Not many drivers reach this level, let alone win four world titles. What Max has achieved is exceptional and superhuman.”
A Season of Two Halves
Verstappen’s journey to the title was fraught with various challenges, something Brundle did not overlook. “The season started with a dominant Red Bull. With seven victories in the first ten races, Max Verstappen built a solid foundation for the championship.” However, the situation changed in the second half of the season. “Max didn’t have the best car then, but he still performed remarkably. Eight victories and thirteen podium finishes so far show that he is exceeding his own expectations.” A moment that encapsulates everything, according to Brundle, was the masterful performance in Brazil. “The final blow to Lando Norris’s hopes came in Brazil, where Max drove from P17 to victory. A masterclass.”
Navigating Through a Storm
In addition to his on-track performances, Brundle also commends the Dutchman for his calmness during turbulent times within the team. “During the opening phase of the season, Max had to deal with the announcement of Adrian Newey’s departure, tensions between his father Jos and Christian Horner, and speculations about the future of the team,” explains the Sky Sports analyst. “These tensions could have distracted him, but he managed to navigate through the storm and continued to perform on the track,” says Brundle.
