F1 chief: 'Lewis Hamilton is a brand, Max Verstappen is an F1 driver'

Graham Watson, former AlphaTauri team manager and currently Formula 1's Head of Race Operations, has nothing but admiration for Max Verstappen. The F1 chief even dares to say that the Dutchman single-handedly saved the sport.

"Max is the best thing that has happened to Formula 1"

"Max is the best thing that has happened to Formula 1," Watson stated in a conversation with Formula 1 Magazine. He explains that when Verstappen went to Red Bull Racing, comparisons were drawn with Michael Schumacher going to Ferrari. Watson saw the sport become immensely popular in both cases, citing as an example the packed grandstands with flags of Schumacher and Ferrari - nowadays, Verstappen and Red Bull.

"I think Max single-handedly saved Formula 1," said the former team manager of AlphaTauri and, before that, Toro Rosso. According to Watson, this is because of the intensity he brings with him, generating great interest. He sees people travelling en masse to all the circuits, something he did not see even in Schumacher's time.

'Hamilton is a brand, Verstappen is a driver'

Even the New Zealander's 60-year-old wife is a big fan of Verstappen. According to Watson, this is because of his style and the fact that he creates excitement on the track. There he also immediately sees the difference between Verstappen and Hamilton: "Lewis Hamilton is very talented, but is involved in so many things that people wonder: is he a Formula 1 driver or not? He’s associated with so many other things. Lewis Hamilton is a brand, Max Verstappen is a Formula 1 driver. And that won’t change," he observes.

There is nothing wrong with that by any means, Watson stresses at the same time. He merely notes the difference in approach between Red Bull and Mercedes drivers. According to the F1 chief, Verstappen is a "nerd" in what he does, as he can also be found constantly in the simulator off track to improve as a driver.