Over the past few years, Max Verstappen has consistently outperformed his teammates. This season is no different, with Red Bull debutant Yuki Tsunoda struggling to match the four-time world champion’s performance. Critics often claim that Red Bull designs the car around Verstappen, making it difficult for his teammates to adapt. However, former Ferrari technician and top engineer Rob Smedley vehemently denies this.
“Without a doubt, Max (Verstappen) is an exceptional driver,” Rob Smedley said in an episode of the James Allen On F1 podcast. “The fact that we can calculate that he still has a chance at the title says a lot about what this guy can do,” he added with a laugh. “That’s the difference between the greats, right? The difference between a very good driver and a great driver.”
According to Smedley, the best drivers seize opportunities that don’t seem to exist. “Should Max have come second in Singapore? Probably not,” he explained. “But if you ask me, he could have even won. If he had put in a better lap on Saturday, he would have pulled away in the race. He once again demonstrated how good he is. The data shows that McLaren was actually faster throughout the weekend.”
‘The ‘Verstappen model’ does not exist’
“Max has driven fantastic races this year,” Smedley continued his praise. “Think about Monza and Azerbaijan – two fairly similar circuits. They managed to optimize the car excellently there, especially considering the circumstances. In Singapore, it was a bit different, also because McLaren didn’t perform well in the qualifiers. Verstappen simply seized his opportunity, and then we see time and again: he gets the maximum out of the car. Let’s be honest, so much nonsense is said about the car being designed around Verstappen,” Smedley sighed. “Of course, sometimes the team moves in his direction, but that’s because the designers take into account what he feels comfortable with.””We are far from the point where we can build a perfect car based on a ‘Verstappen model’,” Smedley explained. “Let’s just acknowledge how good this guy really is. He can get into any car and drive faster than anyone else on earth. The fact that we are even discussing Max still competing for the title at this stage says everything about how extraordinary he is. I don’t think he will win the championship, as McLaren will likely bounce back on the tracks where their car performs better, but the fact that we are talking about it is already a significant achievement.”
Engineer Rob Smedley began his Formula 1 career at Williams and later worked at Jordan and Ferrari, before becoming a data analyst in Formula 1.
