F1 team manager claims ‘top dog’ Max Verstappen doesn’t need ‘better equipment’ to dominate F1 teammates

Max Verstappen has been operating at a very high level since winning his maiden F1 world championship.

F1 team manager claims ‘top dog’ Max Verstappen doesn’t need ‘better equipment’ to dominate F1 teammates

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has over the years become the hottest property at the pinnacle of motor racing. His 2023 F1 season was a testament to the caliber he has as a racing driver and while the sport is currently at a halt, the ex-Toro Rosso (AlphaTauri) manager, Graham Watson, has showered immense praise on him.

He has made it known that Max Verstappen does not need better equipment than his teammate to do well. In recent times, Verstappen dominated Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and now his current teammate, Sergio Perez at Red Bull.

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Waston firmly believes that Verstappen is a top dog in F1 and while talking about the same to Verstappen.com, he said, (H/T: crash.net )

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He does not need better equipment, he wants the same equipment. Talent will do the rest.  noticed that immediately in Max’s first year with Carlos. Knowing them both, I knew Max would be top dog from the moment he got in the car with us.

Looking at the reaction of the former manager, it is quite clear that he noticed the 26-year-old’s talent quite early. More precisely, the moment he first stepped foot (2015) into F1 with Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri.

Max Verstappen dominated Sergio Perez in 2023

While Graham Watson has left no stone unturned in applauding Max Verstappen, the latter took his level of dominance to a whole new level last year. His teammate, Sergio Perez, was just collateral damage on his 2023 warpath. In comparison to the former’s tally of 575, Perez was only able to amass 285 points during the season.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Credits: Infobae)

The Dutchman amassed a highly impressive nineteen grand prix wins out of the available twenty-two. Perez scored two victories whereas one consolation victory went the way of the Ferrari F1 team, courtesy of the mighty efforts of Carlos Sainz at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Overall, Max Verstappen produced a sensational campaign, and his tremendous exploits certainly had an immensely negative impact on Sergio Perez. The latter faced heavy criticism from all angles last year.

The current set of F1 regulations has proved extremely kind to Verstappen. Moreover, if the last two seasons are anything to go by, the upcoming campaign could also portray a similar picture with him dominating at the front end of the grid.

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