Verstappen Would Win Even in McLaren, Mercedes or Ferrari Says Ecclestone

Thursday, 18 January 2024 at 23:00

Max Verstappen received high praise from the former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who named him the "best driver" in a recent interview.

Triple World Champion Max Verstappen won 19 out of 22 races in the 2023 season, leading Red Bull Racing to the most dominant season in F1 history.

Former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone acknowledged the incredible achievement of the driver with his entire team from Milton Keynes. He told Sport Bild:

"They have patiently endured Mercedes' victories in recent years by replacing every weak link one by one and having the best team, the best design, the best car, and the best driver. Christian Horner has done an excellent job."

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Mercedes has been the dominant team in F1 ever since the 2014 season up until 2021, when Red Bull finally stood up to them.

Mercedes technical director James Allison believes Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both could win the Championship but lack sufficient machinery at the moment.

Ecclestone, on the other hand, suggested the problem isn't in the car but in the driver, as he said Verstappen could win with any of the teams in the top four.

"Max is the measure of everything at the moment. You could put him in a McLaren, but probably also in a Ferrari or Mercedes, and he would win."

Moreover, the 93-year-old recognized the talent in the new McLaren driver, who just finished his first season, during which he almost broke Hamilton's record for most points in the rookie year.

Oscar Piastri has only been in F1 for one season, but he is already deemed as one of the drivers with the most tremendous potential on the grid in 2024.

Ecclestone believes the young Australian has what it takes to become the World Champion. He added: "Oscar Piastri impressed me the most. One day, he will be champion."