24/09/2014
NEWS STORY
Whilst some still wonder whether Max Verstappen is ready for F1, Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko compares the youngster to Ayrton Senna.
"He is an exceptional talent that comes along only once in decades..." Marko told the official F1 website.
Asked if he could compare him to anyone, the Austrian replied: "Most likely Ayrton Senna. And in such a case you must not look at his age. He has been talking with people who are experts when it comes to the development of youngsters and they all say that (in terms of) his mind he is more like 22 than 16. And regarding his skills behind the steering wheel, he has been racing since he was four years old - professionally. So we expect him to be competitive from the first race. We are not playing the lottery - we know what we are doing. And success proves us right.
"Mentally he is past 20 years old!" he continued. "We work with him intensively. He will do some Friday runs. Not long ago he did a 400 km test in Italy, he's in the simulator whenever possible and he's working on his physique and psychology with top experts.
"Some things became visible that we will have to address for the 2015 season," he admitted. "Having said that, he is getting the perfect 'schooling' before he gets on the grid."
Verstappen, currently second in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, with only the Imola and Hockenheim rounds remaining, and who turns 17 next week, will partner 20-year-old Daniil Kvyat next season at Toro Rosso, thereby representing one of the youngest and least experienced driver pairings on the grid.
Chris Balfe