'Mentor' Verstappen assists the new generation on their way to Formula 1

08:21, 10 Jun

byLudo van Denderen

Max Verstappen has been a pioneer: the Dutchman has not only been active on the track for years, he also runs many laps in virtual races. This probably has helped him to even better utilise his talents. In any case, the Red Bull Racing driver thus sets an example for a young generation of drivers.

Luke Browning is one of them. The Brit is part of the Williams academy and greatly admires Verstappen. “Max, whichever way you look at it, is exceptional,” Browning told Sky Sports. “Whether it's on the simulator, whether it's the way he approaches things, the way he gets in a car.”

Verstappen and Browning have the same friends

“It's the same on a sim. He gets in a new car, a new circuit and it's just instant. Having that as a benchmark, being involved with Team Redline is just fantastic. It's a new generation that's coming up now. And I'd say, with Bortoleto's in the same sort of friend group, and we all sit on line, and we're on it every day.”

Luke Browning views Verstappen as a role model

It's no secret that Verstappen likes to take young drivers under his wing and support them. The Dutchman does this for Browning too, who says he benefits greatly from it. “I think that sort of friendship that we have on the sim really pushes us forward. Max has helped me out a lot through Formula 3 and Formula 2, but also [Gabriel] Bortoleto did. (Sauber, editor),” says Browning.

No chance in F1?

The British talent Browning is the next to knock on Williams' door - following the departure of Franco Colapinto. However, the youngster is unlucky that Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz are tied down for years, meaning there seems to be no immediate F1 opportunities for him.