'The RB19 that Max drives is also tailor-made for him'

Max Verstappen is enjoying a phenomenal season with 10 wins in 12 GPs. Despite his still relatively young age, the 25-year-old Dutchman is already ranked among the best Formula 1 drivers ever by Helmut Marko. Verstappen's dominance is due to he outstanding driving skills, but also to the RB19 and the way the car has been developed towards the reigning world champion, argues Mika Hakkinen.

Does Max have anything to fear from anyone?

From Motorsport.com, Hakinnen, who, like Verstappen is also a two-time world champion, was asked whether any of the 18 other drivers in Formula 1 (Perez apparently can't do it) could give Verstappen a hard time? The analyst finds it difficult to answer that question.

"The car Max drives is also tailor-made for him. The way he steers is designed to his requirements. If you put a driver in the same car, they will have a different driving style. It might not work then, it might not work for Max either," says the 54-year-old Finn. According to him, it is simply difficult to make comparisons.

Hamilton and other drivers

At least Lewis Hamilton himself is sure he could have fired Verstappen more in an RB19 than Perez is currently doing. The Mercedes driver confidently let that be known from the Spa-Francorchamps circuit after the Belgian Grand Prix, in which he himself finished fourth, just under 50 seconds behind winner Verstappen.

Hakkinen also cites Hamilton as an exceptional driver, and he also mentions some other names. "There are so many great drivers... Of course Lewis [Hamilton], a mega world champion who has done a fantastic job over the years. George Russell is an incredible, hard-working young driver. Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri... I would say Piastri and Lando are very interesting because they really challenge each other, to the limit. That could be an interesting combination," he says in conclusion.