“We need to celebrate his brilliance, not criticize him,” Szafnauer said of Verstappen

April 30, 2024 09:33

Max Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1 divides opinions. While some fans enjoy the Dutchman’s impeccable performance, others yearn for more balance in the category. Otmar Szafnauer, an experienced professional who has led teams such as Racing Point, Aston Martin and Alpine, came to Verstappen’s defense.

“We can’t get rid of Max. Formula 1 has already been through this. He won’t be champion forever,” said Szafnauer in an interview with the Daily Mail. The former team boss recalls the history of the category, which has always had periods of hegemony, such as Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.

For Szafnauer, the arrival of new fans, largely thanks to the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’, generates some concern. “These fans are learning about the sport, and the key is to keep them engaged. Will Verstappen’s dominance alienate this audience? I do not know the answer. But we need to celebrate his brilliance, not criticize it,” he said.

Despite recognizing Verstappen’s talent, Szafnauer hopes for a more balanced scenario, ideally with a teammate strong enough to challenge him at Red Bull. As for who could surpass the Dutchman, Szafnauer is cautious: “I love Lewis, but he is at another stage in his career. I think McLaren’s Lando Norris would be a good rival for Max,” he added.

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