At the age of 17, Max Verstappen became the youngest driver in Formula One history when he joined Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2015.
In the midst of his rookie season, Verstappen secured a promotion to Red Bull, commencing his rise to become one of the most formidable drivers in Formula 1. Despite his young, Verstappen shown incredible competence and confidence.
He put on one of the most overpowering performances in the history of the sport in 2023, winning 19 of 22 races and taking home his third consecutive global championship without the slightest hint of competition.
Verstappen appears “chilled” to Perez.
Perez feels Verstappen is more at ease now than ever despite his incredible success. Perez has struggled to keep up with the Dutchman’s pace.
“I remember I met him in his first season of F1, I think in Melbourne, and straight away you could see that he was something special,” Sergio Perez explained.
Something highly capable, self-assured, and prepared. He seems, to me, a little more at ease and self-assured these days.
“He’s always been very confident, though, but he’s more chilled, he knows what he can do and it’s just… he’s a very relaxed boy.”
With his long-term future uncertain, Perez will be looking to challenge Verstappen for race victories in 2024 and make a bigger impact on Red Bull’s efforts to win the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.