Long-time Scottish Formula 1 driver David Coulthard (50) is convinced: “Max Verstappen managed to get into Lewis Hamilton’s head in 2021. Nobody has done that before.”
The streaming provider Viaplay has published a documentary about Max Verstappen, “Verstappen – Lion Unleashed”, that is Verstappen, the unleashed lion.
The film also features 246-time GP competitor David Coulthard and the 50-year-old Scot is full of praise for the 24-year-old Red Bull Racing World Champion from the Netherlands.
13-time GP winner Coulthard discusses the dramatic final lap of the World Championship finale in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen threw himself at the leader Lewis Hamilton at Turn 5, the first opportunity Max had.
David Coulthard: “At that moment I knew – either it’s going to crash and both are out and Max is world champion, or he grabs Hamilton and is world champion. But I was honestly surprised at how early Verstappen attacked. That says everything about his fighting spirit. Whenever he even senses a gap, he attacks. And all of that makes him a worthy champion for me.”
“I think Max managed to get into Lewis Hamilton’s head in 2021. Nobody has done that before. Lewis is a fabulous racer and deserved to win in Abu Dhabi, but I also think Max deserves the title precisely because he has such a big fighting heart.”
Where does Coulthard – second in the 2001 World Championship behind Michael Schumacher – Max Verstappen settle among the best Formula 1 drivers? David says: “I didn’t feel mature until I was in my late 20s. I was best in my early 30s. Max, on the other hand, is only 24, so there’s a lot more to come.”
“Verstappen is surprisingly mature for his age. We shouldn’t forget that he debuted in Formula 1 when he was 17 and won his first Grand Prix when he was 18. All Formula 1 drivers are good, but few drivers are exceptional – and Max is such a driver.”
Barcelona-Test
1. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes W13, 1:19.138 min (Pirelli tire compound C5)
2. George Russell (GB), Mercedes W13, 1:19,233 min (C5)
3. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing RB18-Red Bull, 1:19,556 min (C4)
4. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren MCL36-Mercedes, 1:19,568 (C4)
5. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari F1-75, 1:19.689 (C3)
6. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing RB18-Red Bull, 1:19,756 min (C3)
7. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin AMR22-Mercedes, 1:19,824 (C5)
8. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri AT03-Red Bull, 1:19,918 (C4)
9. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari F1-75, 1:20,072 (C3)
10. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren MCL36-Mercedes, 1:20.288 (C4)
11. Alex Albon (T), Williams FW44-Mercedes, 1:20,318 (C4)
12. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams FW44-Mercedes, 1:20,699 (C4)
13. Fernando Alonso (E), Alpine A522-Renault, 1:21,242 (C3)
14. Nikita Mazepin (RUS), Haas VF-22-Ferrari, 1:21,512 (C3)
15. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri AT03-Red Bull, 1:21,638 (C3)
16. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo C42-Ferrari, 1:21,885 (C3)
17. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin AMR22-Mercedes, 1:21,920 (C3)
18. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas VF-22-Ferrari, 1:21,949 (C3)
19. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine A522-Renault, 1:22,164 (C3)
20. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo C42-Ferrari, 1: 22.288 (C3)
21. Robert Kubica (PL), Alfa Romeo C42-Ferrari, 1:24,909 (C3)
Tire compounds: C5 (extra soft), C4 (soft), C3 (medium hard)
winter test drives
10th-12th March: Sakhir, Bahrain
Planned Formula 1 World Championship 2022
March 20: Sakhir, Bahrain
March 27: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
10. April: Melbourne, Australien
24. April: Imola, Italien
8. Mai: Miami, USA
May 22: Barcelona, Spain
29. Never: Monte Carlo, Monaco
June 12: Baku, Azerbaijan
19. June: Montreal, Canada
July 3: Silverstone, UK
July 10: Spielberg, Austria
July 24: Le Castellet, France
July 31: Budapest, Hungary
August 28: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
September 04: Zandvoort, Netherlands
11. September: Monza, Italien
October 2: Singapore
October 9: Suzuka, Japan
October 23: Austin, USA
October 30: Mexico City, Mexico
13. November: Sao Paulo, Brasilien
20. November: Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi