F1 world champion Max Verstappen has been ruthless in his criticism of Ferrari for its strategic mistakes during the 2022 season.
The Italian team competed for the title last year with Charles Leclerc challenging Verstappen. However, they were unable to sustain their challenge as they made too many mistakes and strategic mistakes which cost them the championship.
In it Second episode of the Max Verstappen documentary “Anatomy of a champion”, the Dutch driver was preparing for the 2022 Belgian GP. Four days before the race, the Red Bull driver said:
“Rain on Friday and Saturday. More chaos [in the wet] but dry, Ferrari has more options to screw up the strategies.”
Verstappen started the race in P14 due to power unit penalties, but won the Belgian GP in dominant fashion and showed the true power of the RB18.
“He’s a fighter like Michael” – Former FIA President on Max Verstappen
Former FIA president and Ferrari general manager Jean Todt recently mentioned that Max Verstappen reminds him of Michael Schumacher.
speaking to Corriere della Serrahe said:
“Fast, makes few mistakes. He’s a fighter like Michael. But on a human level, I know too little of Max to judge him. Michael might have come across as a bit smug and unpleasant when he ran, but it was an attitude that served to hide his shyness.”
“He was humble, he always questioned himself. He never blamed the team, not even when the brakes broke at Silverstone because of us. I don’t make comparisons, but he and Max have one thing in common… They drive for the best team and that helps.”
Todt also spoke about the talent that Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc possesses, adding:
“In F1 there are good ones, and then a very small group of very good people of which Leclerc is a part. Not winning a title, but they did win races. Ferrari continues to be, since I left, one of the best teams in F1. Something is missing, he is the protagonist but not yet for the championship. Let’s give him time to show that he is capable of taking the last step.”
“Not just technicians. It is imperative to have the best in each area. A company is judged by the front door. By the way, an operator answers the phone. You have to hire the best and then coordinate them, creating a fertile environment” . atmosphere.”
It will be fascinating to see if Charles Leclerc can mount another challenge against Max Verstappen in the coming years.