Max Verstappen: F1 chief insists it's 'too early' to say world champion is an all-time great

testing, testdagen, verstappen — Photo: © LAT Images

Max Verstappen

F1 chief: 'Too early' to say Verstappen is F1 great

Is it too soon to make this claim?

Ewan Gale

Saturday 25 February 2023 12:59

F1 chief technical officer Pat Symonds believes it is too soon to label Max Verstappen as a great of the sport, despite his "absolutely amazing" form.

The Dutchman secured a second consecutive drivers' title in stunning fashion last year, finishing 146 points ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Red Bull driver Verstappen now has the chance to become only the 11th driver to secure a third championship despite being only 25 years old.

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Symonds, who forged a successful career in F1 with Benetton, Renault and Williams and now fronts up the sport's technical matters, was asked whether Verstappen's exploits put him up there as one of the greats, he replied: "I think it is early to say that."

Ferrari challenge left Verstappen in 'great position'

Symonds argues Ferrari helped make the title much easier to win for Verstappen last season, with a series of strategy errors and mistakes.

The Englishman said: "He was driving superbly last year but the challenge fell away didn't it?

"Ferrari was there at the beginning of the year and by the end of the year... it was not so much that they had fallen away because actually, their competitiveness in the last few races was very good.