Verstappen is now part of the debate on who is the greatest driver in history, according to Horner.

Max Verstappen is a rough diamond that has continued to be polished over the years. Since its arrival in Formula 1, already ten years ago, his driving was refined to the point where he achieved 64 victories, 42 pole positions and four world championship titles. In 2025, the Dutchman no longer benefits from a car as competitive as in 2023 or during the first half of the 2024 season. He must now battle every weekend to oppose McLaren and stay in the championship race.

Like in Brazil last year, Max Verstappen must roll up his sleeves and achieve the feat if he wants to stay at the front. This year, in Japan, he surprised everyone by snatching pole position by a whisker, which he transformed into victory the next day. In Jeddah, the same scenario: a perfect lap in qualifying, allowing him to take pole position by just 10 thousandths of a second.Oscar piastriOther drivers can occasionally achieve this kind of performance, but Verstappen is the only one to string them together.

With his outbursts over the past four seasons, Verstappen's name is slowly making its way into the endless and subjective discussions seeking to define, regardless of the impertinence or relevance of these comparisons, the greatest drivers of all time. According to Christian Horner, there is no debate: Verstappen is now part of this select circle.

Verstappen is " the best driver on the grid " according to Horner

« We were lucky to have some very talented riders here, and of course a four-time world champion like Sebastian Vettel, Horner said during his appearance on the podcast The Inside Track of the BBC. But I think Max goes even further. »

Since its beginnings in 2005, Red Bull has only had 14 drivers in Formula 1 and has not had as many athletes and champions as competitors such as Ferrari ou Williams. However, the team director goes further in his comparisons: " He's certainly the best driver on the grid right now. How to compare generations is a matter of debate, but he now has to be put on the same level as some of the greatest drivers of all time. He has all the ability to break many records, but it will depend on how we give him the tools to do the job and how long he ultimately wants to stay in the sport. »

As Formula 1 sets up its paddock at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, Max Verstappen skipped the trip with his team to be with his partner, Kelly Piquet, who gave birth to their first child. During his absence, his team principal took the opportunity to shower his driver with praise: " For me, watching him drive the car is a bit like Roger Federer at the top of his game hitting a tennis ball. He does it with exceptional precision and timing. Relive the first sector of his qualifying in Jeddah and it's a real pleasure to see him totally focused, confident, and making the most of every bit of his performance. His timing and precision are exceptional. »

A father for the first time, the Dutchman will certainly be the happiest of the twenty drivers on the grid in Miami. Will this birth, like the drink it represents, give him the wings to achieve great feats once again?

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