Verstappen compared to Senna and Schumacher: "A phenomenon"

Felipe Massa is impressed by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, but there is one person driving in the premier class of motorsport who impresses the Brazilian even more: Max Verstappen. The two-time world champion comes in the same league as Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna, according to Massa.

Asked whether Leclerc and Sainz are title contenders, Massa replied to La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I think they are really good. Ferrari's problem is definitely not the drivers. Charles has shown he knows how to win with the right car. Last year, like the whole team, he paid the price for the pressure, after a championship start where he led the standings and then lost all his lead in a few races, for well-known reasons."

It strikes the 2008 vice-world champion that the collaboration between the two drivers is very positive. "They push each other, in practice and on the track. That is productive for the team." Sainz, meanwhile, lives near the factory and can be found with the team almost every day. "That has also encouraged Leclerc to do the same, so he has improved in terms of work compared to 2019 and 2020."

Praise for Verstappen

In the person of Max Verstappen, however, the competition for the world title is very strong. The 25-year-old Dutchman is proving hard to beat in his Red Bull. Massa knows that Leclerc and Sainz face a very tough task in 2023.

"Max is a phenomenon. He is focused, he drives his laps perfectly and he is always able to make his voice heard within the team. What he says is leading for the team. He is the best driver with the best car and the best team. He can be compared to Schumacher, Hamilton or Senna in their golden years. He can still win many titles," Massa concluded.