Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Verstappen is a phenomenon, says Räikkönen
Kimi Räikkönen has described Max Verstappen as a “phenomenon” while recalling the moment he realised Formula 1 had found its next superstar.
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Former Formula 1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen has once again praised Max Verstappen, reflecting on the Dutchman’s arrival into Formula 1 during his second spell with Scuderia Ferrari.
“Verstappen! I saw him arrive in F1 during my second stint at Ferrari,” Räikkönen said, as quoted by journalist Leo Turrini, when asked who is currently the strongest driver on the grid.
“Max is a phenomenon. He won his first race in Spain right in front of me, ten years ago. There I realised a star was born,” the former F1 driver added.
The 2016 Spanish Grand Prix remains one of the defining moments of modern Formula 1 history. Verstappen won on his debut for Red Bull Racing and became the youngest race winner in F1 history.
Räikkönen admitted he immediately recognised Verstappen’s exceptional talent and also pointed out the unusual generational link between them.
“We all know he is a good driver and he’s in a good team now... When it comes to youngest and oldest, it happens to be like that. I raced against his father. That actually sounds even more scary. In F1! That’s how it goes,” Räikkönen concluded.
