“Max deserved the title because of his fighting spirit,” David Coulthard hails Max Verstappen as one of the greatest in F1

“Max deserved the title because of his fighting spirit,” David Coulthard hails Max Verstappen as one of the greatest in F1

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen won the 2021 F1 World Drivers’ Championship against Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic fashion in Abu Dhabi after Max made a daring move against Lewis in the final lap of the race. The moment which led to this situation was the race director Michael Masi‘s call, which has also made Max an unworthy champion for many.

For some, Lewis is the true winner of the last season, and for others, Max is. However, for the journalist, presenter turned ex-F1 driver, David Coulthard, both deserved the title. But Max winning doesn’t make him upset. “Lewis is a fantastic driver and deserved to win that race, but I also think Max deserved the title because of his fighting spirit,” said Coulthard, as quoted by Motorsport.com in the documentary titled ‘Verstappen – Lion Unleashed’ on the platform called Viaplay.

Coulthard seems spectacularly impressed by Max’s lunge against the seven-time world champion. He gave full credit of Max Verstappen’s success to his fighting spirit and puts him on the list of sport’s greatest drivers.

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Coulthard considers Max Verstappen as a worthy champion

Max Verstappen and David Coulthard
Max Verstappen and David Coulthard

While speaking on what made Max Verstappen the champion and more importantly, a deserved champion, Coulthard said, “I knew he would either crash and become World Champion, or catch up and become World Champion. So yes [a worthy champion]. But I didn’t expect him to make his overtake so early. That just showed his fighting spirit. As soon as there’s a gap, even if it’s not really a gap, he goes for it. That makes him a worthy champion in my eyes.”

“He managed to get inside Lewis’ head and Lewis knew he had to leave room. No other driver has that effect on Lewis. Lewis is a fantastic driver and deserved to win that race, but I also think Max deserved the title because of his fighting spirit,” David added.

Coulthard also puts Max amongst the list of the greatest. He added, “He is remarkably mature for his young age. Let’s not forget that he was 17 when he entered Formula 1 and he won his first grand prix when he was 18. That he took that opportunity and triumphed makes him exceptional.”

It’s a personal choice and opinion whom you consider the champion of the 2021 season. But as DC says, both the drivers deserved to have won and the controversy certainly doesn’t make Max Vertsappen’s title undeserving.

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