Vettel Reveals Max Verstappen's Secret to Success
Sebastian Vettel suggests that Max Verstappen's continuous improvement, even after winning four titles, is what makes him so dangerous. Vettel highlights Verstappen's unique blend of talent, mental strength, and unwavering work ethic, emphasizing his ability to perform under pressure and his hunger to always get better. This relentless evolution, according to Vettel, means Verstappen has yet to reach his peak, posing an even greater challenge to his rivals.
Sebastian Vettel says the "truly disturbing" thing about Max Verstappen is that he's still getting better, making him an even more formidable opponent for his rivals. The four-time Formula 1 world champion believes Verstappen, already a benchmark in F1, hasn't even reached his peak.
Why it matters:
After years of consistent dominance, Max Verstappen's continuous improvement poses a significant threat to the entire F1 grid. If the reigning champion continues to raise his game, it makes the challenge of dethroning him even more daunting for competitors like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, potentially solidifying his era of dominance.
The Details:
- Vettel's Assessment: Speaking on the "Beyond The Grid" podcast, Sebastian Vettel described Verstappen as combining talent, intelligence, and work ethic in a rare way, highlighting his hunger to learn and extreme hard work outside race weekends as making him a "complete" driver.
- Mental Fortitude: Vettel emphasized that Verstappen's mental strength is key. "Talent alone is not enough to win world championships," he said. Even with his natural talent, it's the combination of skills, and "his head is decisive."
- Pressure Management: Verstappen's ability to remain calm and make minimal mistakes under pressure is a rare quality. "When it really matters, he keeps his cool, makes hardly any mistakes, and delivers when he has to," Vettel noted. He has learned to control pressure, finding a mental space to focus on the task at hand.
- Champion's Experience: Vettel believes Verstappen feels less pressure than rivals yet to win a title. He recalled his own relief after his first title, realizing he could win and wanting to do it again. Verstappen no longer needs to prove he can win championships.
What's next:
Verstappen's position as a multiple champion means he's now focused on perfecting everything. This internal security makes him incredibly strong, according to Vettel. If Verstappen maintains this trajectory of continuous improvement, it's hard to imagine anyone catching him soon, solidifying his place as one of F1's all-time greats.