Petrov: "Too soon to judge Verstappen greatness"

  • Published on 24 May 2016 16:24
  • comments 5
  • By: Rob Veenstra

It might be too early to predict greatness for F1 teen sensation Max Verstappen, according to a former grand prix driver. Even before his first win in Barcelona, many insiders were wondering if Red Bull's 18-year-old Dutchman might eventually break the great Michael Schumacher's record tally of seven career titles.

But Vitaly Petrov, Russia's first F1 driver, is applying the brakes. "I think he won in Spain deservedly," he told Sportbox, "but I think circumstances also played a role in this victory. If Mercedes had not gone out, maybe he would not even have been on the podium," Petrov, who drove for Renault and Caterham, told the Russian outlet. "In general, drivers cannot be judged by any single race. In order to make an objective assessment, we need to see over a longer period of time. Perhaps even years," he added. (GMM)

Petrov who?

  • 1
  • May 24 2016 - 18:30

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • Petrov who?

    • + 1
    • May 24 2016 - 18:30
    • The one who successfully held off Alonso and denied him any chance at a title in 2010, so much so Alonso lost his cool and made himself look silly.

      • + 0
      • May 25 2016 - 06:21
  • Is it necessary to report every opinion about Max Verstappen? Off course it was fortunate that the Mercedes eliminated themselves. But as Hakkinen allways said, to finish first, you first have to finish. Max did both while others couldn't catch him. He drove a great race with many rounds under pressure and made no mistakes. Much more experienced drivers have failed in this situation, he didn't. Is he great for that, no, but he is 18 years old, it was his first race in the RB12 and he DID NOT make any mastakes!

    Yes, he is great. Stop being jealous, Vitaly

    • + 0
    • May 25 2016 - 07:32
  • Vet5

    Posts: 225

    I remember when there was massive hype with Vettel and everybody pretty much put him down as being a 1 hit wonder, and here he is a 4 time world champion. Same goes for Verstappen, I'm not a fan of his, not because of his driving style as that itself is impressive, just him as an individual, but that's just me. People need to realize that he is a future talent and the way he held his cool and defended against Raikonnen was unreal.

    • + 0
    • May 25 2016 - 10:15
    • A little too early for all that, Maldonado also won a race he shouldn't have in Spain. He had what Max had, a car that was clos'er' to the front and had some mighty good set of things conspiring in his favor to get that win.

      • + 0
      • May 25 2016 - 12:19

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:58

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:58

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Netherlands
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), Netherlands
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar