Mass: "Max Verstappen is too convinced of himself"

  • Published on 07 Sep 2017 15:37
  • 18
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Max Verstappen is yet to prove himself in formula one. That is the controversial claim of Jochen Mass, a former F1 driver. 19-year-old Verstappen has been highly critical of Red Bull and Renault recently after a spate of car problems in 2017, hinting that he wants to break his contract.

But Mass, a veteran of 114 grands prix and a single win, told T-Online: "Verstappen is too convinced of himself. "I think it's because the hype about him all came far too early. He was praised to heaven after his victory in Barcelona (2016), but he won with a lot of luck.

"Now miracles are expected of him," the 70-year-old German said. "Sure, Max is a talented boy, but we will only see how good he really is in the future." (GMM)

Replies (18)

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  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    This is the perfect analysis. Yes he is incredibly talented , but he feels that everyone he passes and tangles with should have gotten out of the way.

    • + 2
    • Sep 7 2017 - 16:39
    • Well, a little, but then again, doesnt most of the driver up there do that? Take a peek at Vettel and Hamilton, for example.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2017 - 16:54
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    ... the retirements that he had have nothing todo with his driving style (bar the last race).

    He's not going to brake contract with RB; that's not his style. Also he's been out qualifying his team mate and in most retirements he was leading him. His victory in spain was based on talent not luck. He's been in the top 5 consistently and when it rains he is in the top 2.

    No miracles are expected just progression of his career.

    Love F1 ... dislike the current engine issue's if you're not driving an Ferrari or Merc Powerunit.
    Wonder why mr Mass had this to say ....

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2017 - 16:43
    • Kevin

      Posts: 5,341

      Monza was the second time in 3 races that Max destroyed his chances at a good result. I don't fully agree with Mass, I think Max is an incredible talent. But he's also his own worst enemy.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2017 - 16:55
    • ENDR

      Posts: 43

      Oh look, a Dutch guy defending Verstappen. Shocking.

      Yyyeah, his win in Barcelona was TOOOTALLY down to his skill. His skill made the two Mercs crash out of the race. His talent was what made Raikkonen lose downforce and traction in the last chicane, which resulted in him losing all the gains he'd been making throughout the rest of each lap.
      It's ironic by the way - the chicane was put there to HELP with overtaking...
      So yeah, it's not that Barcelona is obnoxiously tough when it comes to overtaking in dirty air and until last year the tires were pretty crappy. It was MAX and his TALENT.

      Remember Maldonado - a driver known for being... average at best? Remember how Alonso (definitely A LOT quicker driver) couldn't get past him in a much better car?
      I'm sure you'll say he won solely because of his talent, just like in Verstappen's case ;D

      • + 1
      • Sep 7 2017 - 17:32
    • @ENDR you make so many bad points it's hard to know where to start. I'll take the time to correct your absurd rant.
      - Verstappen is undeniably talented. His win in Spain was down to a lot of luck, nobody disputes that. That being said he drove a great racd

      - Maldonado was a below average driver, but his win in Spain was spectacular. Not luck, not the layout of the track or anything else. Just read Alonso's quote after the race

      You might want to be more thoughtful in the future before aggressively writing absurdities in horrendous prose.

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2017 - 01:49
    • Again somebody who wants to be in the news, and again the Max haters can agree with someone's opinion.
      Max is one of the most talented drivers at the moment. He also makes mistakes, apparently he seems to be human.
      @ENDR you discribe yourself how Max won the race at Spain, what has he done wrong there? And still, when the opportunity is there to win a race, you have to be there and he was and played well.
      I assume you're a huge Vettel and Ferrari fan. I didn't know that fan's of Vettel were whinning also all the time. I presume you are an exception

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2017 - 13:32
    • @patentprutser I agree with you. I and just like Verstappen was lucky back in Spain he has been very unlucky this year, potentially missing on a win or two. I think he's the most exciting talents since Lewis Hamilton came to Formula 1. Perhaps more so. Also calling me a Vettel fan? How do you figure? Anyway, I am more of a closeted Ferrari hater ha.

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2017 - 16:21
    • ENDR

      Posts: 43

      @PATENTPRUTSER: I'm "a huge Vettel and Ferrari fan" because of... what exactly?
      Because I don't hail Verstappen as the next F1 prodigy? Or is it because of my German flag next to the nickname (chosen because there are no more appropriate country flags on this site)? Hell, I used to spread hate on Vettel when HE was being called the newest "wunderkind" (having the quickest car helps with achieving that A LOT).
      Yyyyeah, it's easy to pull assumptions out of your ass.

      • + 1
      • Sep 9 2017 - 22:00
  • A nobody criticizing Formula 1 most exciting talent since Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen has definitely made mistakes, but he is still driving better than ever. It's undeniable. Daniel Ricciardo is fantastic, but he would have likely finished behind Verstappen in most races where Verstappen's engine died. The moves he pulled last Sunday in Monza? I would say the one on Massa was the only clumsy one.

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2017 - 17:34
    • Bhurt

      Posts: 320

      You take the time to correct one poster for making bad remarks and advice him to be more thoughtful an future, then proceed to call Jochen Mass a "nobody"? Right.

      • + 2
      • Sep 8 2017 - 07:13
  • FatMike

    Posts: 153

    too convinced like perez claiming he could be WC and deserves a top drive? Too convinced like Grosjean who thinks he is/was entitled to a ferrari seat? Too convinced like Gasly who feels he should have a seat? Or maybe too convinced like Alonso who feels hes entitled to a race winning car.

    like many voiced this one will die out as well. Proven wrong in time.

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2017 - 19:36
    • - Alonso is not entitled, but does deserve (merely based upon past performance and current talent) a winning car
      - What's your beef with Perez? The guy is super talented and everyone that matters on the grid knows it. I am not sure he ever claimed what you just said
      - Grosjean... we agree.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2017 - 21:51
  • kngrthr

    Posts: 203

    every top sports person needs a big ego and heaps of self belief.

    some just talk about it more

    • + 1
    • Sep 8 2017 - 00:32
    • Hombibi

      Posts: 137

      I think that's spot on.

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2017 - 09:07
  • "Now miracles are expected of him," the 70-year-old German said. "Sure, Max is a talented boy, but we will only see how good he really is in the future." (GMM)

    That people expect miracles, is that Max' fault?

    • + 0
    • Sep 8 2017 - 13:33
    • That'd be media's, rabid fans' and hype culture's fault. Hyping something or someone is about as healthy as cyanide, and about as tasty when it blows up on you.

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2017 - 15:53
  • @ENDR "Yyyyeah, it's easy to pull assumptions out of your ass."
    Isn't that exactly what YOU are doing?

    • + 0
    • Sep 11 2017 - 07:06

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