F1 News: Former Driver Hits Back At Max Verstappen Dominance Complaints - ‘He Is Unbelievable’

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert defends Max Verstappen's current dominance in the sport.

Oct 22, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen (1) of Team / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Herbert, ex-Formula One driver, defended Max Verstappen's current dominance in the sport amidst criticisms from fans. Herbert likened Verstappen's dominance to that of sporting legends Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, applauding his exceptional talent.

Key Takeaways:

• Johnny Herbert counters claims that Max Verstappen's dominance makes F1 boring, comparing his excellence to that of Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.
• Herbert insists it's the responsibility of other teams to elevate their game to challenge Verstappen's superiority.
• Despite Verstappen's lead, competition remains fierce among the other drivers, with minimal time differences separating them.

Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Formula 1 Lenovo United States / Jay Janner / USA TODAY NETWORK

The recent debates surrounding Max Verstappen's dominance in Formula One have stirred quite a conversation among fans. Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert brought an interesting perspective to the table, drawing parallels between Verstappen's performance and the zeniths of Tiger Woods' and Roger Federer's careers. He explained:

“When Tiger Woods was at the top of his game, we all enjoyed it. His skill levels were phenomenal. We could see it and it was fascinating to watch every shot he made.

“He was way ahead of the field. Everybody enjoyed that and in the same way they should enjoy Max. He is unbelievable."

Herbert, whose career in Formula One included stints with renowned teams such as Benetton, Sauber, and Stewart, among others, is no stranger to the demands and rigours of the sport. He continued:

“It is up to the other teams to provide a package that their drivers can have to challenge him.

“But behind Max it is very tight between the other drivers with only about two or three tenths of a second down to about eight or ninth place. But there is this one man who is so dominant.

“Roger Federer was the same at his peak. It is a skill and you can’t take away from that and say that it is boring.”

Verstappen secured his third consecutive Drivers' Championship win in 2023 when he won 19 out of 22 Grands Prix. The Dutchman has continued his impressive winning streak in 2024 with three wins out of the four races so far.

Thank you to Inclave Casino for setting up this interview.