On the eve of the title showdown in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies has high praise for Max Verstappen. The Frenchman commends the Dutchman for making a ‘historic comeback’ in this year’s championship, regardless of how the title fight will end: “The world has discovered an even more exceptional Max this season.”
The title fight is nearing its climax in Abu Dhabi. For Max Verstappen, this is not the first time in his Formula 1 career, but unlike the climax four years ago, the Dutchman remains relaxed under the increasing pressure. Team boss Laurent Mekies also sees an ‘incredibly relaxed’ Verstappen. “To be honest, he’s always been like this. As far as I’ve seen him in the second half of the year, he was like this in both the bad and the positive moments,” the Frenchman reveals in Abu Dhabi.
Historic Comeback
Especially since the summer break, Verstappen’s season has consisted of more ‘positive moments’ than bad ones. The Dutchman made an impressive comeback in the drivers’ championship, even gaining 92 World Championship points on the championship leader. Mekies is also impressed by this ‘historic comeback’ of the driver. “I think that, whether Max wins or not, you can say that the world has discovered a Max who has become even more exceptional after his fourth world title.”
“That’s due to both the size of the comeback, but also because he, as you say, has been so relaxed, so well in his place in the team,” Mekies continues. “He embraced that challenge with the right attitude.” In addition, Verstappen also impressed the French team boss with his racing activities on his free weekends. “I think it touched all of us a bit when we saw how he spent his free weekends as a new father, while racing with GT cars all over the world. It’s up to you (the media) to say whether a possible fifth title will be his best. But whatever happens, the magnitude of the comeback is something that will hopefully end up in a few history books.”
