Throughout the years, many a driver has come and gone from the Red Bull family. Some have gone onto achieve great things, other's failed when it mattered most. However, is Red Bull's most recent "young gun;" Max Verstappen, the best there's ever been? And, why has the criticism he has received of late been a very important part of his development as a racing driver? I look at the Dutchman's career so far and determine whether he will one day be one of, if not, THE best.
Max Emilian Verstappen, born on 30th September 1997 in Hasselt, Belgium, is the son of a former Formula One driver and an ex-kart racer. Since the day he was born, motorsport has been in his blood and his heart. The youngster began karting at aged four and a half and won his first karting title in 2006 before going onto win numerous more throughout the years. 2013 soon came around the corner and Verstappen, then only sixteen, got his first experience in a single seater racing car before contesting two full-time drives in 2014.
Verstappen's performance in the 2014 Formula 3 season, finishing third and winning ten races in the process, was an eye opener to a number of Formula One teams, including Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. In August of that year, Verstappen joined the Red Bull Junior Team and only six days later, he was to be confirmed as a race driver for Red Bull's sister team; Toro Rosso, for the following year.
A controversial move from the Red Bull team soon put all the critic's minds at ease. The then 17 year old, found himself consistently scoring points and performing overtakes that one could simply remember for a long time after. The following year was more frustrating. His then teammate; Carlos Sainz Jr, would often contest him, showing similar pace and consistency. This caused an awkward tension within the team and following that season's Russian Grand Prix, Verstappen found himself thrown into the main team; Red Bull Racing. Again, due to the youngsters experience and the "sole" reason for his move (Daniil Kvyat's demotion), this move was also seen as some sort of controversy. But in pure Verstappen fashion, the critics were again silenced when he won his first race for the team. Something no one was to expect as of yet.
Verstappen continued to impress with numerous podiums and consisten finishes in the points. However, it wasn't long before things began to change. The Dutchman brought out his aggressive side, with numerous drivers coming forward to complain of the danger. He cleaned up his driving for the following season, however, due to being plagued by constant mechanical failures, it became an unlucky year. He is currently still driving for Red Bull Racing and in recent times has again received a number of complaints due to his aggressive nature. However, the Dutchman is still consistent and CAN race aggressivley yet cleanly. His most recent win came at the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix, a circuit Red Bull usually struggle at.
So, is Verstappen just that one lucky kid who managed to live his dream with barely any experience or is he seriously one of the best?
I think the latter. Max Verstappen is a driver like no other. To get to Formula One with barely any experience is something no one could ever imagine happening to them. Of course at times his inexperience shows and I, among others, may sometimes wonder if he needed a year in GP3 or GP2 just to give him that extra boost.
However, he is proving the world and I wrong. His driving style is special. Aggressive but beautiful. I for one admire his skill. Like Ayrton Senna once said; "If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver." Max Verstappen will one day be a world champion, maybe multiple. And if this never happens, I will eat my socks. You have my word.
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