Former F1 driver Rene Arnoux believes that Max Verstappen "slaughtered" everybody in the field on more than one occasion in 2022. While Arnoux feels that Verstappen's 2021 championship victory came down to "the least intelligent Safety Car decision ever", the Frenchman was left impressed by how the title was won during the most recent season. "This year, Verstappen and Red Bull were supreme," Arnoux told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport . "Several times, like at Zandvoort for example, he slaughtered everyone in the race. "In my eyes, Charles Leclerc comes close to him, but Verstappen still has that little bit more."
Arnoux: Verstappen can brake later than anyone
In terms of what gives Verstappen that "bit more" than his rivals, Arnoux referred back to the start of the Japanese Grand Prix, the shortened rain-affected event that Verstappen claimed victory in, as well as sealing the World Championship. "What he did there.... He executed an overtake outside in the rain to perfection," Arnoux said. "When it is asked of him, he can brake later than anyone else." Arnoux feels that Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez cannot match up to the Dutchman. "Perez won in Monaco and Singapore on the slower circuits. But when people call out that Perez does not have the same car as Max, those are silly statements," he continued.
Will Red Bull face more competition in 2023?
Red Bull became an increasingly dominant force in 2022, having sealed both championships with races to spare. Arnoux hopes that the Milton Keynes-based squad will face more of a challenge from their rivals in the season ahead. "I hope Mercedes will be stronger than this year and I wish Ferrari will be at that same level, so they can compete with Mercedes and Red Bull and that until the end of the season," he stated.
Most read
