Newey has nothing but high praise for Max Verstappen: 'He is a phenomenal force'

Red Bull's chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, is effusive in his praise for Max Verstappen, affirming that the young Dutchman possesses all the attributes necessary for a perfect Formula 1 driver.

At 25, Verstappen has already etched an illustrious track record in Formula 1, boasting an impressive 40 race victories and two world championships.

The ongoing season further fortifies the notion that Verstappen is on course to clinch a third world crown, placing him in the revered company of Formula 1 legends like Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, and Ayrton Senna.

Given his close collaboration with the talented prodigy since Verstappen's induction into Red Bull Racing in 2016, Newey is well-positioned to assess his prowess.

The ideal driver

When asked by Sky Italia if Verstappen epitomises the ideal driver, Newey responded with conviction, "I think he is. He possesses exceptional car control and innate talent.

"In the initial stages, he may have made a few errors due to his relentless pursuit of excellence. However, he has now achieved remarkable smoothness and drives at the absolute limits of the car.

"Yet, he retains thoughtfulness within those limits," Newey elaborated in his interview with Sky Italia.

"His understanding of tyre dynamics is exceptional, as evidenced by his performances over the past couple of years.

"Verstappen possesses an uncanny ability to comprehend and optimise tyre behaviour, which has become an essential aspect in today's Formula 1."

Collaborating with champions

Newey's own illustrious career as an F1 designer, arguably unparalleled in the history of Grand Prix racing, has seen him collaborate with an array of celebrated champions such as Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen, and