Verstappen sees more capacity in F1 car with Alonso than with Hamilton

The fact that Max Verstappen remarked over the on-board radio during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend that he heard Helmut Marko's phone ringing caused amazement here and there about the capacity that the Dutchman apparently has 'over' in the car. Verstappen himself sees another Formula 1 driver who also possesses that talent.

Verstappen saw extra capacity with Cruyff as well

Someone else who Verstappen believes had that extra capacity, albeit in a completely different sport: Johan Cruyff. "The thing is with people like him, they are so talented, when they are playing or racing, they have so much more capacity for other things to think about. I think that’s how he was when he was playing or coaching; his vision was so much wider than most other people," the Red Bull Racing driver told The Times.

That extra capacity is something Verstappen himself possesses. While sitting in his F1 car, he can be heard regularly thinking about many more things than just his own race. "I do like to think that having extra capacity is a big advantage in F1 as well. You cannot train that kind of thing. Only a few drivers have it," he continued.

Verstappen sees extra capacity with Alonso, but not so much with Hamilton

Which drivers are those, according to the two-time world champion? "For me, definitely Fernando [Alonso] — I can feel that, from the way he operates in the car, picking up on little things, showing this extra capacity — still driving at the limit but thinking about other stuff as well," says Verstappen.

He also cites an example from his own experience: "You are talking to the engineer but I am also hearing a pitstop by a Ferrari car. I asked, ‘Did they box? I heard that on the radio.’ But if you are fully focused on your driving, you probably won’t pick up it up because you are fully focused on his voice."

Someone Verstappen did not mention - despite this possibly going down the wrong way with some fans - is Lewis Hamilton. "No, because Fernando stands out more with that. People will probably start hating me for [saying] that, but just that’s how I see it," said the championship leader.