Saward backs Villeneuve in bold Verstappen claim

Villeneuve, known for his blunt takes, has often described the Dutchman as the “absolute genius” of Formula 1. Saward agrees, calling Verstappen “extraordinary” and “quite exceptional.”

"Jacques Villeneuve, who always says it as it is, thinks that Max Verstappen is the absolute genius of Formula One. And I'm with him on that, because I think Max Verstappen is extraordinary, really extraordinary," Saward said on the Missed Apex podcast.

Verstappen’s recent turnaround has highlighted that point. After a low in Hungary, where the RB21 struggled badly, Red Bull brought a new floor upgrade in Monza that allowed the team to unlock its until then hidden potential.

Verstappen made the most of it, delivering valuable setup feedback and then converting the improvements into back-to-back wins in Italy and Azerbaijan.

After Verstappen's most recent win in Baku, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella declared the Dutchman a candidate in the world championship fact, pointing to the Monza floor upgrade as the Austrian team's turning point.

Papaya driver Lando Norris also indicated that Red Bull's force had become renewed following the implementation of the previously mentioned update and admitted the Woking-based outfit could expect a fight from Verstappen.

After his lap 1 crash in Azerbaijan, Piastri said he was not too concerned with the Dutchman's implication in the title fight, but clarifying that he wasn't ruling the reigning World Champion either.

Currently the Drivers' Standings see Piastri leading Norris by 25 points and Verstappen by 69. With seven Grands Prix still to go, there's still all to play for in the Drivers' title fight.

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