Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is the current double-time Formula One champion and is cruising his way to win his third consecutive title. In the 2023 F1 season, he has won five out of seven races so far. The other two belong to his teammate Sergio Perez. Hence, it is clear that Red Bull has the fastest car on the grid at present. There is no stopping Red Bull and Max Verstappen because of the quality of the RB19 car.
In contrast, other teams have faced confusion and issues while building their respective cars under the cost cap regulations. It is clear that the 25-year-old Red Bull driver is on another level at present. Many fans and experts argue that with or without RB19, Max Verstappen would be the fastest driver on the grid anyway at present. Moreover, the Dutchman is currently proving his worth with every Grand Prix. But there are still some doubts if it is too soon to count Max among the all-time greats.
Richard Bradley Doesn’t Think Max Verstappen Is An All-Time Great Yet
Even in a challenging race circuit like Monaco, with raining cats and dogs, Max Verstappen was still able to hold his ground to finish at the top. His teammate, Checo, who was supposed to be a street circuit specialist, could not even crack the top ten and finished at P16. Hence, the 25-year-old Dutchman is proving time and again that he is truly a great F1 racer. But Richard Bradley, a Le Mans winner, spoke about the greatness of Verstappen on the podcast, On Track GP. He believes that there is just one thing that Max will have to do to prove that he is an all-time great. And that is, “He will need to drive an inferior machine and get results beyond its capabilities,” announced Bradley.
According to him, all the greats have, at some point, driven worse equipment and still made it work. Lewis Hamilton did it with McLaren in 2009. Michael Schumacher did this in the early stage of his career. Moreover, the Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna won the famous 1993 Donnington Grand Prix. These greats have done the impossible with worse machinery. But Max Verstappen has not yet had to do that. Hence, Richard Bradley says that it is too soon to count him among the all-time greats. Right now, the RB19 car is great and ready to fight. But what happens if there is a worse car? That would have answered the question of Le Mans winner Richard Bradley.
Lewis Hamilton Was 24 Seconds Behind The Dutchman At The Spanish GP
Apparently, the arch-rivals of Red Bull, Mercedes, have not yet mastered the formula to win a race this season. Albeit they won a race in Brazil with a one-two finish last year, they have not been that lucky as of yet this season. On the other hand, Red Bull won all the races so far. And Mercedes had their first double podium finish in the last race in Barcelona, Spain.
Lewis Hamilton came second again, and George Russell earned his first P3 finish. However, they could not beat Max Verstappen despite their new upgrades. Surprisingly, the Dutchman was still 24 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who won his second P2 finish this year after the Australian Grand Prix. Like in Australia, Hamilton again fell behind Verstappen.
