Sainz, Verstappen and Norris with their trophy in Monaco — Photo: © LAT Images

Formula 1

Verstappen, Sainz, Norris the "next generation" of F1 champions - Brawn

Ian Parkes

Friday 28 May 2021 12:44

Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris have been hailed as F1's "next generation" of champions after lining up together on the Monaco Grand Prix podium.

The trio secured a place in F1's record books as their combined age of 70 delivered the second youngest top three behind Verstappen, Pierre Gasly and Sainz in Brazil 2019.

While there is obviously life in Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, despite the team's poor performance around Monaco, F1 managing director motorsports Brawn feels what he saw represented a sign of what is to come.

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"With Max, Carlos and Lando on the podium, we were seeing the next generation of Formula 1 world champions," said Brawn via his column.

"Max and Red Bull were in top form in Monaco. In the race, he was imperious. He had it under control from when the lights went out.

"He didn’t stretch a lead and instead kept everyone compact in the early part of the race as you don’t want to spread the field out so people can jump in for pit stops.

"When it became clear Valtteri's tyres were losing their edge, to steal a phrase used by his chief rivals, it was 'Hammertime'."

Sainz and Norris delivering

With regard to Sainz and Norris, Brawn added: "Carlos delivered the kind of performance that I have come to expect from him. He has matured really well.

"Of all the driver changes over the winter, he is doing one of the best jobs. He has settled in very quickly and is producing very good results.

"His former team-mate Lando was strong all weekend, on a track where many expected McLaren to struggle.

"His consistency has been impressive and he very much deserved the third podium of his career."

Mercedes Red Bull fight will ebb and flow

Although Red Bull and Verstappen have taken the lead in the constructors' and drivers' championships for the first time since their last title-winning year of 2013, Brawn is expecting a nip-and-tuck battle to the end of the season.

"Mercedes won’t have off weekends very often so Red Bull can’t rely on these gifts from their rivals," assessed Brawn.

"But if Red Bull is to stand a chance of winning the titles this year, it’s vital that they take their opportunities, and they did just that in Monaco as Mercedes struggled.

"This championship fight is going to be tooth and nail and come down to a few points here, a few points there.

"But to see a 30-point swing in their favour, with Red Bull now leading the constructors’ championship by a single point, is very encouraging for the team."