EXCLUSIVE: F1 champ admits 'I can't imagine a better Verstappen'

Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Bahrain, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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EXCLUSIVE: F1 champ admits 'I can't imagine a better Verstappen'

Jacques Villenueve has hyped up the three-time champion

Jim Kimberley

Thursday 7 March 2024 18:00 Updated: 18:34

Max Verstappen already looks set to add another championship title to the three crowns he has, and that's thanks to the level of driving the Dutchman achieves, not Red Bull's car according to Jacque Villeneuve.

Speaking exclusively to GPFans as F1 geared up for the 2024 season, the 1997 world champion explained that although the title-winning RB19 was an impressive machine, Verstappen made all the difference.

"Even though they won almost every race," begins Villeneuve, "It was by a small margin. They didn't have a two-second lead. They didn't have the gap we had in '96 with Williams.

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"They didn't have the gap that McLaren had in '98 when just disappeared in the distance.

"Verstappen made the difference last year, not Red Bull."

Max Verstappen is responsible for 2023 domination, not Red Bull, claims Jacques Villeneuve

Why Verstappen is Number 1

It's something that Villeneuve finds hard to believe considering how incredible the Dutch driver has been in his years of domination: "It would be difficult to better Verstappen, you know? Right now, it's hard to imagine him going faster and being on top form every race like he's doing now.

"I can't imagine a better Verstappen than what we've had the last two years. It's really difficult to imagine."

Red Bull Max Verstappen Mercedes F1 Williams Jacques Villeneuve