Ok, this is like setting the stage for embarassing failure or bewildering amazement...comparing a 17yr kid to the late Ayrton Senna. Said kid also, once upon a time, akinned himself to Alonso... ------- Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko thinks new Toro Rosso signing Max Verstappen's is comparable to the late Ayrton Senna; "an exceptional talent that comes along only once in decades". Verstappen will become F1's youngest driver by nearly two years when he drives for Toro Rosso next season aged 17. The teen prodigy recently compared himself Fernando Alonso, considered by many to be the most complete driver of the current grid. But Marko - who played a key role in bringing Verstappen into the outfit's young driver programme - has gone one step further than that, saying he believes Verstappen is more like Senna, the man widely regarded as the greatest driver in F1 history. "Most likely Ayrton Senna," Marko told the official F1 website when asked to compare Verstappen to another driver. "And in such a case you must not look at his age. He has been talking with people who are experts when it comes to the development of youngsters and they all say that [in terms of] his mind he is more like 22 than 16. "And regarding his skills behind the steering wheel, he has been racing since he was four years old - professionally. So we expect him to be competitive from the first race. We are not playing the lottery - we know what we are doing. And success proves us right." Marko does not think Verstappen will have any trouble adapting to life in F1 so early in his career, even if there is work to be done. "Mentally he is past 20 years old. And yes, we work with him intensively. He will do some Friday runs. Not long ago he did a 400 km test in Italy, he's in the simulator whenever possible and he's working on his physique and psychology with top experts. Yes, some things became visible that we will have to address for the 2015 season. Having said that, he is getting the perfect 'schooling' before he gets on the grid." ------- Read more at Helmut Marko: Max Verstappen is like Ayrton Senna | Toro Rosso | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1
Marko again talking too much: driving in F1 at 17 is going to put a lot of pressure on the kid and now this moron goes around there rising colossal expectations.
Marko is delusional, my prediction is that Verstappen is more along the lines of Kevin Magnusson rather that Senna or Alonso, but time will tell.
Damon Hill and Jacques Villenueve did fine and won world championships in the very best car in the field (Williams)...
Can be said about several champions but it sure did not hurt to be driving the Williams from 1992-93 and 1995-97!
Maybe he's wrong, but what if he's right, wouldn't that be great?! Many are always complaining about today's drivers. We could surely use another driver of Senna's stature in F1.
Well, assuming he has just maybe 2-3 seasons of average, or below average. Knows bloody STR, they will probably can him like the rest, then i wanna see where this Helmut wanna put his face. Kid has not even step into an F1 car and race competitively and suddenly he's the next Senna? What a dumb@$$
You win the prize..😄. I was going to go with "You have to be blind in one eye to think he drives like Senna" but thought it too obvious.
I'm quite surprised how this guy has kept his job over the years. Each time he opens his mouth, something stupid just comes out.