Verstappen's Rookie Schumacher-Like Performance Made An Impression On Tost Before F1

Saturday, 13 January 2024 at 11:00

Former AlphaTauri (Toro Rosso) team principal Franz Tost recalled Max Verstappen's most impressive F3 race, saying it was immediately clear he was extraordinary.

As a team principal of Red Bull's junior team in F1, Franz Tost played a crucial role in managing and developing young, talented drivers like Max Verstappen.

While we all know how good Verstappen is today, it wasn't so clear to everyone whether he would be as good 12 years ago. In an interview with formule1.nl, Tost remembered watching the Dutchman's most impressive F3 race:

"The most impressive race, at least in my opinion, was Max's in Nürnburg at the Norisring. I remember it well: wet track, it was raining."

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Norisring is only a 2,3 km (1,4 miles) long circuit, which drivers complete in less than a minute. Differences between drivers are harder to spot on circuits with shorter laps because the gaps are smaller. However, Verstappen's pace advantage was clear.

"As you know, a lap at the Norisring is short: it takes less than a minute. Still Max was one or two seconds faster there than the rest. It was incredible, he just flew off in the rain."

The former team principal remembered how watching Verstappen reminded him of young Michael Schumacher, with whom he worked before he even entered F1.

"Very impressive. It immediately reminded me of a race by Michael Schumacher in Formula Ford at the Salzburgring in the 1980s. He won that one in wet conditions and, in the process, wiped the floor with everyone."

The team principal then joined Verstappen on his journey to become the youngest driver ever to drive an F1 car during the official Grand Prix weekend. He added:

"It was immediately clear to me that Max is an extraordinary driver: a huge talent with an incredible feel for the car and grip. That's really a big advantage to him."