1978 Formula One world champion and US racing legend Mario Andretti has described Max Verstappen as a “very rare” talent after the Red Bull ace claimed victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.
In doing so, the Dutchman became the sport’s youngest ever winner at the tender age of 18 years and 228 days, cooly resisting intense pressure from Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in what was his first race following his fast-track promotion from Toro Rosso.
Speaking to ESPN, Andretti claims Verstappen has already showed he is not a one-hit wonder.
“He showed that spark repeatedly in the Toro Rosso last year once he reached F1," the 76-year-old said. “He brought that Toro Rosso up to the next level just like Sebastian Vettel did.
“No one ever thought that a Toro Rosso would win, but Vettel did that in the most precarious conditions -- when there was a level playing field in the wet at Monza [in 2008] -- and he showed his capability then and Max is doing the same thing now.
“Talent at that level is very rare. He didn't just show it as a flash in the pan, he demonstrated his promise and that's why he was given the reward of going from the Toro Rosso to the Red Bull team.
“He took advantage of everything that was at his disposal and he did a remarkable job.”
In the light of Verstappen’s stunning win in Barcelona, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he could already see ’uncanny similarities’ between the Dutch phenom and his former driver Vettel. Andretti is convinced Verstappen can join them in the F1 title winners’ club.
"Of course [Red Bull motorsport advisor] Dr Helmut Marko now feels vindicated even though he was criticised for this early-season move but it's obvious he made the right decision."
“I think that Max has cemented himself in the world of F1 and many of the experts are looking at him as a potential world champion, no doubt about it.”
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