Former F1 driver suggests two ways for F1 to stop Max Verstappen’s charge

Michelle Foster 31 Jul 2023 12:45 PM

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen gives a wave. Belgium July 2023

Timo Glock reckons the only way rivals are going to get a look in on Max Verstappen is if the Dutchman is made to race on hard tyres, or without a front wing.

Verstappen has been the in-form driver this season to the point that even his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in the same car cannot challenge him.

Cruising to his 10th win of this season at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, the reigning World Championship extended his winning streak to eight while also taking another big step toward a third successive World title.

Max Verstappen is finding new ways to ‘set the bar higher’

It has his rivals and fans alike asking what, if anything, can be done to stop him.

But unless it’s sabotaging his car in some way, former F1 driver turned pundit Glock doesn’t see it happening.

“You could say that Max Verstappen has to drive the whole weekend on hard tyres or without a front wing,” he told Sky Germany. “At the moment I don’t see anything happening there.”

The former Toyota driver says Formula 1 can only applaud Verstappen and Red Bull for what they are achieving this season with the team on course for a 22-0 whitewash.

“He is very dominant in every respect and always finds new ways to set the bar higher,” he said.

“You have to see the whole team and the co-operation between Max and the team. Always perfection at its finest, every pit stop fits. It’s an achievement that you have to take your hat off to.”

PlanetF1.com recommends

F1 race wins: Which drivers have the highest win totals in F1 history?

F1 records: The drivers with the longest points-scoring streaks in history

This past weekend in Spa, Verstappen claimed pole position on the Friday evening, grabbed pole in the Sprint Shootout on the Saturday and won the Sprint race before going onto win the grand prix on the Sunday. In fact the only thing he missed out on was the fastest lap point.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said: “The whole weekend was an incredible performance. It’s with done with ease and sovereignty. That already makes Max one of the greats in the sport.

“I don’t know how far he will go having already achieved so much in such a relatively short time – He will be 26 in September.

“There is no end in sight for his development. He finds the limit, is incredibly careful with the tyres. We can says hats off as a team. We enjoy it and want to keep it going.”

Verstappen heads into the summer break 125 points clear of Perez in the Drivers’ standings with Red Bull 256 up on Mercedes.