Max Verstappen has once again impressed in Baku. In Azerbaijan, the Dutchman drove a flawless race and won with a commanding lead. Jonathan Wheatley, current team boss of Sauber, called Verstappen’s performance nothing short of ‘a masterclass.’
Verstappen drove flawlessly throughout the weekend. From the first free practice to the last lap of the race, he had the situation completely under control. Jonathan Wheatley watched with admiration: “I watched his lap during the qualification yesterday and at no point did it seem like he would hit the wall. He is extraordinary. He knows exactly how to get the maximum out of that car.”
The Brit, who worked closely with Verstappen at Red Bull for many years, has no doubt about his exceptional class. “In the end, the best always rise to the top,” Wheatley told the media in Baku. For him, the dominant performance in Baku was not a surprise. “I have been enjoying watching him race for years – since 2014 or so. And this weekend was another example of that. It was simply a masterclass.”
Excitement in the Title Race
With seven more Grand Prix and three sprint races to go, Verstappen is hitting top form at the right time. Although he is currently still 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri, his dominant performance shows that he remains a serious threat in the title race. Wheatley added: “Perhaps it’s mainly two circuits that really suit his car,” referring to the conditions that enabled Verstappen to get the maximum out of his RB21 this weekend. The upcoming circuits may be less suited to him, making it exciting to see whether Verstappen will be able to close the gap.”
