Mark Hughes and Martin Brundle draw interesting parallels between Max Verstappen and George Russell’s ‘smooth driving’ at Bahrain testing

Mark Hughes and Martin Brundle draw interesting parallels between Max Verstappen and George Russell’s ‘smooth driving’ at Bahrain testing

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen, the current F1 champion driver, is known for his aggressive and fearless driving style. His high energy corners and aggression at all times seem to have changed, remarked the journalist Mark Hughes during the Barcelona pre-season testing, marking a complete change in the driver’s driving style.

Max Verstappen’s driving style in the past has drawn flak from many fans and especially his rival Lewis Hamilton’s fans. Lewis fans have criticized Max for wide overtakes and crashing into Lewis often last season and mocked the Red Bull driver by calling him names like “crashtappen.”

Now, as the Bahrain testing is underway, Mark Hughes has made another observation regarding the Dutch driver’s driving style and pairs him up with Mercedes’ George Russell. Mark observes changes in driving style in both the pre-season testing, referencing from the commentator Martin Brundle’s comments on the track coverage.

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Changes in Max Verstappen’s driving style

Max Verstappen in Barcelona
Max Verstappen in Barcelona

Mark Hughes, in his report on Max Verstappen, from the Barcelona round of testing The Racer, remarked, “In the new super-low-rake car, he was driving like a more extreme version of Jenson Button!”

“Incredibly smooth, early on the brakes, but early on the power too, super-smooth steering inputs. It’s as if he had developed a special style – in the simulator? – predicated upon maximising the effectiveness of the powerful new underfloor venturi tunnels,” reported Mark.

Now, speaking of the changes in Bahrain for Max Verstappen’s style, he has said, ” I’m not trackside this time so cannot tell you as definitively.

At Barcelona the style was quite visually startling and totally unlike how he’d ever driven before. But I notice that here Martin Brundle has commented on the smoothness of both Verstappen and George Russell out on track.” 

“It definitely seems to be the way to go with these cars, to keep the venturis working as efficiently as possible and because you lose so much time if you hit the kerbs,” he concluded.

With the new car and regulations, Max’s style seems to be evolving. It might prove to be a valuable chance for the driver and team before the racing season begins.

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