Max Verstappen
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2015 debutant Max Verstappen impressed from his Formula One debut, with voices across the F1 fraternity – including supremo Bernie Ecclestone – describing him as a one-in-a-million talent.
Verstappen’s team, Scuderia Toro Rosso, this year made the shift from Renault to Ferrari power, a decision that the young Dutchman has taken full advantage of. He qualified in 5th in Australia, losing out in the race only due to bad pit strategy, which saw him fall back to 10th.
He turned that around in Bahrain, knocked out in qualifying but successfully managing to stage a comeback for a 6th place finish.
The teenager, who is the youngest driver on the grid, has exhibited overtaking skills that have drawn comparisons with the best in the sport; former F1 boss Eddie Jordan compared him to his one-time protege, 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, who was known for his aggressive overtakes, and it is hard to disagree with Jordan after observing Verstappen’s drives.
The youngster has not shied away from a challenge all year, and shown a tenacity and aggression some of the sport’s most successful have displayed before him. That and his racing skill could stand him in good stead, especially given his strong 2015 despite a contentious Renault engine.
Currently at a healthy 6th in the standings, the Dutch sensation has already outraced several more experienced competitors – and even gave Vettel some form of chase in 2015, so a year of experience could see him finish even higher up the grid.
