Following Max Verstappen’s fourth world championship win, FORMULE 1 Magazine posed three pressing questions to a diverse group of experts, including Flavio Briatore. This led to some unique insights. Today, in part 1 of 4, we hear from the Italian.
Was Max Verstappen’s title ever in danger?
Briatore: “No. I knew and saw that Max Verstappen would become champion. Why? It’s very simple. Because Max Verstappen is the best. And then you also become champion in difficult years. It may not have been easy with the Red Bull car this year, but the quality of the driver is decisive. You see that with Verstappen.”
Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel also won four titles. The latter did so, like Verstappen, in four consecutive years at Red Bull. Who is better?
Briatore: “There have been many good champions over the years, besides Verstappen. As you know, it’s difficult to compare. But as I said: Verstappen is rightly the champion this season, because he is the best. And people should then decide for themselves whether he is better than Vettel.”
Will Lando Norris be Verstappen’s biggest challenger again next year?
Briatore: “The problem for Norris compared to Verstappen this season was inexperience. He is still young, perhaps even too young. Next year might be better. At least the experience of this season can help.
