Adrian Newey hails Red Bull's Max Verstappen as the epitome of a Formula 1 driver

Red Bull's chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, is effusive in his praise for Max Verstappen, affirming that the young Dutchman possesses all the attributes necessary for a perfect Formula 1 driver.

At the tender age of 25, Verstappen has already etched an illustrious track record in Formula 1, boasting an impressive tally of 40 race victories and two world championships.

The ongoing season further fortifies the notion that Verstappen is on course to clinch a third world crown, placing him in the revered company of Formula 1 legends like Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, and Ayrton Senna.

Given his close collaboration with the talented prodigy since Verstappen's induction into Red Bull Racing in 2016, Newey is well-positioned to assess his prowess.

When asked by Sky Italia if Verstappen epitomizes the ideal driver, Newey responded with conviction, "I think he is. He possesses exceptional car control and innate talent.

"In the initial stages, he may have made a few errors due to his relentless pursuit of excellence. However, he has now achieved remarkable smoothness and drives at the absolute limits of the car. Yet, he retains thoughtfulness within those limits," Newey elaborated in his interview with Sky Italia.

"His understanding of tyre dynamics is exceptional, as evidenced by his performances over the past couple of years. Verstappen possesses an uncanny ability to comprehend and optimize tyre behaviour, which has become an essential aspect in today's Formula 1."

Newey's own illustrious career as a Formula 1 designer, arguably unparalleled in the history of Grand Prix racing, has seen him collaborate with an array of celebrated champions such as Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen, and Sebastian Vettel.

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Sky Italia asked Newey how would Verstappen compare to this distinguished group?

"Each of those drivers is distinctly unique," Newey explained.

"Nigel exuded tremendous self-confidence and possessed exceptional physical strength, crucial during an era without power steering and featuring copious amounts of downforce. He was a ferocious competitor on the track.

"Alain was incredibly methodical, articulate, and frustratingly elusive during testing. It was hard to gauge his true potential because he would often refrain from pushing himself. But when he decided to unleash his abilities, he was unstoppable.

"Mika and Kimi were enigmatic characters. Their words may have been few, but they demanded profound attention and interpretation. They had their idiosyncratic ways of expressing themselves.

"Sebastian was a profound thinker, investing significant time in extensive debriefs and meticulous analysis of every aspect.

"Max falls somewhere in the middle. He possesses his own unique character, blending aspects of various driving greats. Yet, he stands as a phenomenal force in his own right."

Newey's glowing appraisal serves as a testament to Verstappen's exceptional talent, leaving little doubt that he is destined for an indelible mark on Formula 1 history.

As the F1 season progresses, the next stop is the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, where Red Bull fans eagerly anticipate the on-track action.