Max Verstappen: German GP result can help Red Bull keep 'sublime' Dutchman

Max Verstappen

German GP result can help Red Bull keep 'sublime' Verstappen

Second win of the season for Max

Martin Macdonald

Wednesday 31 July 2019 15:30

Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle believes Red Bull’s performance at the German Grand Prix in which they powered Max Verstappen to victory could play a part in them retaining the services of the Dutchman.

Verstappen has been in scintillating form over the last few races; winning in Austria, finishing fifth in Britain, and winning again at the Hockenheimring.

He is currently outperforming both Ferraris in the drivers’ championship, and Brundle thinks that if Red Bull can continue to prove they can challenge and potentiall defeat the Scuderia and Ferrari, then they can keep their driver for the long-term.

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“Verstappen has won two of the last three races, with the team confident that one of their best chances of victory this season is this weekend in Budapest,” said the former F1 driver in his Sky Sports column.

“It was a doubly important day for Red Bull as it gives them an ever-better chance of keeping Verstappen into the future.”

Verstappen didn’t enjoy the best of starts as both he and team-mate Pierre Gasly struggled off the line, while he also recovered from a 360-degree spin midrace to win.

Brundle has praised his veteran instincts to remain calm under pressure.

“I interviewed him in parc ferme as he took his crash helmet off. He was as calm as somebody waiting for a bus in no particular hurry,” he wrote.

“In the craziest of races when many couldn't even remember all that happened to them, it was as if he owned the place, totally comfortable in his position and ability within F1.

“A wise head on young shoulders, with a sublime co-ordination between his brain, eyes, hands and feet while controlling the fastest track car on earth in treacherous conditions.

“He kept his head after a bad start, again after a wild gripless spin, and then ran and hid after every safety car restart while many others faltered and crashed.”