Over the past few years, Max Verstappen has dominated Formula 1, securing an impressive four consecutive World Championship titles and breaking numerous records in the process. However, while the Dutch driver has been setting new benchmarks, the performances of his team-mates have not come close to matching his extraordinary results.
This significant disparity in performance between Max Verstappen and the other Red Bull Racing drivers has fuelled speculation within the paddock. Some have suggested that Red Bull may have developed two cars with different specifications — one of which would be tailored specifically to Verstappen’s driving style, giving him a decisive advantage.
Max Verstappen has now addressed these rumours directly. In an interview published on the official Ford Performance YouTube channel, the Dutchman explained: “I adapt to what I have. It’s not about what I like, it’s simply about what I have available to me.” He added that, in order to achieve the fastest lap times possible, he has to adjust his driving style to the car’s characteristics, even if it is not exactly how he would ideally prefer the car to be set up. “I would like different components for the car,” Max Verstappen admitted, making it clear that his current machine is not built to his personal preference.
Red Bull Racing’s technical director, Pierre Waché, also dismissed the idea that the RB20 was created specifically for Verstappen. “It was not our intention to develop the RB20 exclusively for Max,” Waché explained. “However, as a driver, he is capable of managing a balance that is less connected,” implying that Verstappen’s adaptability allows him to extract more from a car that might be less forgiving to others.
Alexander Albon, who partnered Verstappen during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, offered his perspective on the Dutchman’s style. “Every driver has their own driving style. I would say mine is a bit smoother — I like a car with strong front-end grip, one that’s quite responsive and direct. Max likes that too, but his threshold for reactivity and immediacy is on another planet — he is incredibly precise,” Albon explained.
To illustrate this difference, Albon used a gaming analogy: “If you set your computer mouse sensitivity to the maximum in a video game and then move it, the cursor jumps rapidly from one side of the screen to the other — that’s what it feels like. It becomes so reactive that it can make you a little tense.”
Max Verstappen himself is well aware of this precision and describes himself as a “perfectionist.” He clarified that his relentless approach is not about showcasing his talent to others, but about his personal drive to keep improving. “I don’t do it to show people what I’m capable of,” he said. “I do it because I always want to improve myself. I’m quite a perfectionist — I do well, but for me, it’s never enough.”
The message from both Verstappen and Red Bull’s leadership is that success is not the result of a car built solely for him, but rather of his unique ability to adapt, combined with a constant pursuit of perfection.
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