Never Stop Driving #121: Is Verstappen the Best?
Last weekend, Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen proved he’s one of the greatest drivers of his generation and potentially one of the greatest drivers of all time. During a rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo, Verstappen stormed from a seventeenth-place starting position to a dominating win. Ten of his final 11 laps were good enough to be fastest lap of the race. Let that soak in.
Verstappen is a three-time world champion and will likely win a fourth championship this year, so seeing him on top of the podium is not unusual. His win in Brazil, however, was different. Verstappen’s Red Bull F1 car is no longer the class of the field like it was earlier in the season—his last win was back in June, nine races ago—and the McLarens look to have the edge, followed by Ferrari.
In racing circles, it’s often said that when it rains, the car matters less, and the driver matters more. Traction on a wet track is wildly unpredictable corner to corner, lap to lap. A braking point of, say, 50 meters before the turn that worked on Lap 7 might still be fine on Lap 13 but then way too late, or way too early, on Lap 14. Rain-tire grooves, which evacuate water from between the road and the rubber, also wear, adding another element of uncertainty. Without the predictability of a dry track, the drivers rely on feel, instinct, and lightning-fast reflexes to get their unruly, 1000-hp beasts through each unnerving lap without hydroplaning into a barrier.
At the Brazil race, Verstappen made passes no other driver attempted. He passed a handful of cars in the first lap. Cars, it must be said, that were driven by some of the best drivers in the world. The conditions were so tricky that nearly every driver, including Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, and Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, slid off track. Norris went off twice. During this chaos, Verstappen certainly benefited from timely caution periods, but his aggression and lack of mistakes in appalling conditions were mind-blowing. I texted “Max=GOAT” to a friend after the race and I certainly wasn’t the only one so impressed. Even the New York Times noticed: “In Brazil, Max Verstappen produced his greatest F1 win—and closed in on another title.” Check out this Verstappen highlight reel to see for yourself.
This week, coincidentally, I corresponded with the one-in-a-million Sam Posey, the former racing driver and TV commentator who not only knows how to wheel a car but also how to write beautifully, and not least, is a talented artist. Everyone who loves cars needs to read Where the Writer Meets the Road, a compilation of his best essays and articles. When asked if he shared my enthusiasm for Verstappen, Posey said that we could make the GOAT case for at least half a dozen drivers—Fangio, Senna, Stewart, etc. “I think there’s a tendency,” he explained, “to exaggerate the exploits of a driver who is current—because we can feel with greatness unfiltered by time.” Great line, right? Feel with greatness unfiltered by time. Holy smokes!
While we’re on F1, let’s talk about Aston Martin. The storied British carmaker best known for its affiliation with James Bond has forged a fresh identity as a Formula 1 team and sports car manufacturer since Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll became a major investor a few years ago. Stroll has invested heavily to upgrade facilities and personnel, including hiring world champ Fernando Alonso to drive alongside his son Lance. Stroll’s commitment to the legendary brand is impressive, and it appears he’s trying to follow the Ferrari model by using the halo of F1 to sell high-priced street cars. The F1 team is currently fifth in the constructors championship, an impressive feat for such a young team. The new-car business, however, is struggling, burning through more than $1 million every day. Maybe the new Vanquish model will help. We just posted a gorgeous film about the luxurious V-12 GT on our YouTube page.
Meanwhile, NASCAR this past weekend was motorsports as professional wrestling. The race was a knockout round with only a few drivers eligible for the final playoff spot. Toyota driver Christopher Bell tried to ride the wall like Ross Chastain did two years ago, but the move has since been banned so he was penalized. That elevated Chevy driver William Byron to the final playoff spot. Radio calls between drivers and crews, however, revealed that many drivers weren’t racing to win, but rather to help another driver advance to the playoffs. Naughty! NASCAR handed out hundreds of thousands in fines and several suspensions. Byron, who benefited from team orders, was allowed to keep his position, which led many pundits to accuse NASCAR of looking the other way to make sure a Chevy is in the final four. Bell posted a photo of himself and team owner Joe Gibbs with the caption “Just a couple of guys missing a bow tie.” The NASCAR championship will be decided this Sunday in Phoenix, and I’ll be glued to the screen.
Before I sign off, some other stuff that’s on my mind:
- I’ve longed for one of the old rear-drive Toyota Corollas, known as the AE86. Larry Chen found a vibrant AE86 scene in Malaysia.
- Ever wonder what it’s like to drive in a demolition derby? Kyle Smith reports.
- Take my money: Toyota’s rally-inspired concept car.
- I don’t want to touch politics, but I can’t help myself: Tesla stock is up 15% while other EV companies are significantly down. That is curious, lol.
- Meanwhile, EV sales continue to grow, but at a slower pace.
Have a great weekend!
Larry
P.S.: Your feedback and comments are welcome.
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Comparing drivers over time is difficult as the cars are a major factor anymore.
In F1 most of the drivers are very good but the one with the best car can dominate.
Years ago the cars were similar and for a long while many had a Cosworth engine so comparisons are easier.
Even in the rain today these cars are much better than say even in Senna’s time.
The best we can do is appreciate each in their own time.
I’m old enough to have watched, and been a fan of, Aryton Senna. I told my son 4 years ago that Max was the best driver I’d seen since Senna. After watching Max in the rain in Brazil I’m not so sure Senna is the greatest anymore. The rain equalized the cars but not the drivers. Max was in anothter league. Even Lando said that if Max had started at the front he would have lapped him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another driver, in F1, drive at a level that much above all of the other drivers in a single race. He will be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, F1 drivers in history.
I agree it was a great drive but as a Senna fan you must recall Donington 1993 when Senna in not the best car left everyone for dead in conditions that changed almost every lap. Overtaking 5 cars on the first lap he reached the front right before my eyes as he passed my viewing point. While other drivers chopped and changed tyres as conditions altered Senna just drove away from them all.
“Rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix” … “Let that sink in.” Something subconscious going on here.
Better to be lucky than good, lol.
This is not strictly a comment but a request for information. As a U.K. follower I am not particularly up with the NASCAR terminology, although I have been to the Daytona 500 7 times, so will someone please explain what the phrase “to ride the wall” means and why is it now banned. Thanks to anyone that replies.
Watch this vid, which is also linked in the piece. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqZF5ft9Xqs
Oh hell no! Greatest F1 driver of all time: Jimmy Clark. Senna a close second. Nobody in the last twenty years is even in the conversation. The sport has morphed into something different. If you happen to be in the best team at that moment you win. Drivers in the past were versatile. Drove multiple disciplines. None of the current drivers would ever consider an oval, like Indianapolis. ( save for Alonso, who did well). Sorry Max, et al
I totally agree that Max’s drive in Sao Paulo was one for the history books – it showed his true level of talent in comparison to some of his competitors (e.g. Lando). I also agree with Sam Posey’s observation about how we tend to focus on the current best driver as the GOAT – I remember when this “title” was bestowed by the press on Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna before him, Jackie Stewart, and Jim Clark when I was quite young. Like the Eagles song goes; “We will never forget you ’til somebody new comes along…” Personally, I still feel the Juan Manuel Fangio is the true GOAT – he won five World Championships in four different marques – Alfa, Ferrari, Mercedes, Maserati – and has the highest F1 win percentage ever – to me, he is still “The Great One.”
Hard to argue Fangio. Again, the modern F1 sport. Is more about team and car versus the pure skill of the driver……
The title of GOAT must include factors of sportsmanship. Prior to Senna, there was a level of driving courtesy , in F1, that precluded intentionally running someone off the road, or crashing. It was recognized as too dangerous and unsporting like. Senna started successful dirty driving in F1 and Schumacher continued it. We had a spell of cleaner driving before Max fired up dirty driving again. The shame is that I could consider one of those 3 based on their talent, but cannot accept the uncalled for lack of respect for life and limb of others.
I believe that one of the standards in a discussion of “greatest drivers” should include a consideration of who carried a lesser car to victory. It is far easier to get victories with the best of the field cars but it is a far greater accomplishment to get a win with lesser equipment.
As others have already commented, there is somethign to be said for the drivers of earlier eras where they drove in multiple different types of events – F1, sports prototypes, endurance, Indy, Can Am, and Nascar. Mario Andretti did some amazing things that showed his verstility with the same for Dan Gurney, John Surtees and Stirling Moss.
The GOAT? Tazio Nuvolari.
It would be great to read Sam Posey’s book that was mentioned, but in looking for it in the various book selling areas, it is almost impossible to obtain
Larry, I have to agree with you and Sam Posey regarding Verstappen’s driving acumen. I’ve been watching him for some time now, and his talent is a notch higher than his competitors. I wonder though if he’ll become frustrated with RB and move to another team where he may be better able to showcase his skills as he has in the recent past. I guess time will tell.
Max great driver, yah.
But if he wins championship this year, it will be his THIRD honest title. F1A gave him the first one.
Nascar’s fake playoff structure is completely unappealing to me. Goes along with the not-even-resembling “stock” cars.
Take the 1973 rule book, add the safety gear and let’s see what gets raced. Toyota Crown might be the only thing that fits the measurements though…
One might also say some of the best drivers that ever drove never went to F1.
Drivers like Foyt and Stewart if they gone that route would have shown well. Many rally drivers never get the call but have much more car control.
Dan Gurney a winner in near everything even won in F1 in his own car with his own engine. Imagine if he had had Clark’s car.
To call GOAT is not possible on an uneven platform. Tim also removed memory or great drivers many todsy only read about like Fangio.
I find that most of the greatest drivers started out on slick go cart tracks and dirt.
One we will never see is Kyle Larson. He has won in near everything he has driven.i don’t expect he will go to F1 no go young enough to give it his all with a family and money now.
Note I’m not dissing Senna. He was one of the greatest in F1. He might be the best. I was devastated when I saw him crash. It affected me like Dale Sr. Both left at the top and both will be remembered that way.
Kind of the Jame Dean effect.