Max Verstappen earned the 58 victory of his Formula 1 career at the Chinese Grand Prix but Karun Chandhok has shared what he needs to do to be considered an all-time great in the sport.
Saturday’s Sprint Race was the first time Max Verstappen hadn’t started on pole position but he still quickly made his way to the front of the grid before driving a faultless race on Sunday.
Reviewing the race for Sky Sports F1, Karun Chandhok explained what the Dutchman has to do to take the next step.
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Karun Chandhok shares what Max Verstappen must do to become an all-time Formula 1 great
Max Verstappen cantered to his third world championship last year, matching the likes of Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Niki Lauda.
It would be a huge surprise if he didn’t win his fourth title in 2024 and unless something drastic happens, he’ll be a five-time world champion before a major regulation change in 2026.
Red Bull’s position in the F1 hierarchy might change significantly at that point when they begin to use their own powertrains.
However, at this moment in time, no one can get anywhere near him and he’s driving faultlessly.
He could have easily finished the race with a minute gap to the next car had there not been two safety cars after the halfway mark.
Lando Norris was sitting in second place but showed no signs of trying to chase the 26-year-old down to earn his first Formula 1 victory.
While Chandhok appreciated Verstappen’s efforts in China, he explained the next step he needs to take to become a Formula 1 great.
It’s an idea that will certainly be of interest to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff…
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Mercedes could come calling to help Max Verstappen achieve legendary status
Speaking about Verstappen’s future, Chandhok said: “More and more I’d like to see him drive for somebody else!
“I’d like to see if he just at one with this car, could someone else jump in and do it if he went to Mercedes or he’s not going to go to Ferrari they’re locked in, but it would be fun to see, wouldn’t it?
“How much of it is Max [Verstappen] vs the car!
“I think the all-time greats when you look back are the ones who have won in more than one team.
“[Michael] Schumacher, [Juan Manuel] Fangio, [Alain] Prost, Lewis [Hamilton] as well of course.”
Hill: “Can I just say if I was him right now I’d be very interested to see where Ferrari are going to end up, rather than Mercedes.”
Could Max Verstappen leave Red Bull?
If Max Verstappen wins his fourth and fifth titles with Red Bull, then Chandhok might have to admit he’s an all-time great before he decides to leave the team.
He has a contract until the end of 2028 but a clause does exist in his deal that could see him leave much earlier.
Mercedes are desperate to replace Lewis Hamilton with Verstappen in 2025 and are willing to offer him something that even the seven-time world champion didn’t have in his contract.
Aston Martin were also keen to do ‘whatever it takes’ to sign Verstappen but that stance might have changed now that Fernando Alonso has extended his contract.
Ultimately, it’s very difficult to see Verstappen giving up the best car on the grid any time soon when he’s under no pressure from his teammate. It’s the perfect position to be in although no one goes through their entire Formula 1 career unchallenged, as Hamilton will explain…
The post ‘I’d like to see’: Karun Chandhok now states what Max Verstappen must do to be considered an ‘all-time’ great appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
