F1 | Webber praises Verstappen for how he won over a "hungry Hamilton"
Mark Webber believes that Max Verstappen can be a turning point for F1. Not only for his talent but also for his ability to “captivate a nation”
Max Verstappen’s first World Title granted him access to the biggest achievement in the sport. Former F1 racer Mark Webber has been impressed by the Dutchman. The Australian pointed out to Channel 4 how interesting is that he came to the sport at only 17 years old but he grew up a lot in so little time.
“The maturity he's showed for his age when he came into the sport... he has biblical levels of confidence and feel, at the highest level, - Webber told Channel 4. – These cars are not easy to get on top of early. Through karting and F3, Red Bull took the risk, and he is right up there in terms of what Red Bull stands for: to compete and race hard.”
Webber then focused on the massive impact the young driver had on his nation, who came back to follow motorsport, now more than ever.
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"Verstappen has captivated a nation. Look at the Dutch Grand Prix this year. That was phenomenal for the sport, a new benchmark for that.
He then complimented Verstappen, pointing out how rare his talent is, so much that the Australian thinks that F1 should “embrace” him.
"These [drivers] come along once every 10 years. Verstappen is absolutely phenomenal and the sport should be embracing him.”
As proof of that – if such a thing should be needed – he remembered that not only the young and inexperienced Verstappen beat the record-smasher Hamilton, but also he did it when the Briton was as hungry as ever and in a perfect shape.
“He was watching Formula 1 for a long time, - Webber stated – He saw Lewis dominating the sport and was like, 'I want a piece of that'. He's not overwhelmed by individuals, he doesn't play people on their reputations, he doesn't drive on their reputations. He just sees it as, 'This is my turf, I'm a racing driver and I'm going to make my presence felt', which he does extraordinarily well.”
"I think for him to know he went against Lewis, there was no real attrition. – Webber added up – Yes, he had the puncture in Baku, the shunt in Silverstone, which was Lewis' fault... Max was a bit out of order in Saudi I felt. So they've had their trials and tribulations but ultimately he knows he's beaten a hungry Hamilton, a fit Hamilton."
