Is Verstappen better than Schumacher? Former Red Bull chief thinks so

Of course, comparing drivers from different generations is always difficult. Nonetheless, Wheatley tries to do just that in the podcast Beyond the Grid. When he ranks the drivers he's worked with, he chooses Max Verstappen as the best of them all.

“I think Max embodies everything that a racing driver needs. I've loved working with him. It was an incredible journey at Red Bull. We didn't get everything right. He and I had some tough conversations over the years as well, but I've been astounded by some of the things he's done in the car. And I still am,” says former Red Bull sporting director, Wheatley.

Wheatley has since left Red Bull and taken up the role of team principal at Sauber. Even in service of the Swiss team, the Brit often marvels at what Verstappen does. “ I still sit there and watch it sometimes and go, 'wow, I don't know if anyone else can do that'.”

As an example, Wheatley mentions this year's Japanese Grand Prix, a race Verstappen unexpectedly won. “Even Suzuka just a few races back. It was a pleasure. I messaged him straight after the race and he came straight back as well,” says Wheatley, indicating the strong bond with Verstappen still exists.