Rarely late Max Verstappen colleagues and experts are unmoved, but even experienced engineers are sometimes left with doubts. Former Ferrari-performance engineer Jock Clear admits that he cannot fathom why the Dutchman rises so far above the rest of the Formula 1 field.
Verstappen has become an absolute celebrity in the sport in recent years. With four world titles and a series of records, the Limburger has definitively put his name in the history books. Last season he narrowly missed out on a fifth championship, but his impressive comeback in the final phase made a deep impression. After the Zandvoort Grand Prix, Verstappen still faced a deficit of no less than 104 points compared to the then leader. Oscar Piastri.
‘It simply cannot be explained’
Clear does not hide his surprise. “I actually hardly know Max and in some ways I don’t know much about him,” he says in conversation with CasinoHawks. “That makes it so difficult, because from the outside you see exceptional talent, but it is difficult to pinpoint where exactly it comes from.”
According to the Brit, the calculation is simply not correct. “If you try to explain why he is structurally faster than other drivers at Red Bull and Racing Bulls, you cannot figure it out as an outsider. You cannot put the puzzle together. Then there is really only one conclusion left: Max is simply extremely special.”
‘The bar is set for Verstappen’
Clear saw Verstappen show something extra, especially in the final phase of 2025. “What he achieved then was downright absurd. He reached the level that everyone should measure themselves to,” says the former Ferrari engineer.
He does not want to detract from the reigning world champion Lando Norris. “Lando is incredibly strong and I think he knows there is more to it. With the confidence of a world title and the number one car, he will only grow next year. But let’s be honest: one more step is needed to really reach the same level as Max.”
