Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull insider reveals what makes Verstappen a 'special' driver

07:33, 06 Nov

byTobia Elia

Former Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas has opened up about what it’s like working alongside Max Verstappen — and the key lessons he’s taken from the Dutchman.

"I've worked with a lot of great drivers. I don't think I've ever met somebody that's so driven"

- Calum Nicholas

Speaking on The Line podcast, Nicholas — who stepped away from his garage role at Red Bull last year to become an ambassador for the Milton Keynes outfit — had plenty of praise for the Dutchman: "I've worked with a lot of great drivers. I don't think I've ever met somebody that's so driven, especially racing (side).

"Max is one of us. He loves racing, but I think what was special about him is that, especially in 2021, 22, 23, we saw Max get the best out of us. When you've got a guy that if you give him the equipment and you do your job well, he's going to deliver."

The Briton went on to highlight the 2023 season as a perfect example — when Verstappen, aided by the record-breaking RB19, the most dominant car in F1 history, racked up an incredible 19 wins and squeezed every drop of performance out of it.

Max Verstappen during a press conference - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"I especially remember 2023, when you've won every race apart from Singapore. When you're in that thing of winning every race each race the pressure builds because in your role you don't want to be that person that ends that streak."

Finally, alongside praising his driving talent, Nicholas highlighted the mental side of the four-time world champion — always focused on winning and pushing both himself and the team to get the very best out of every situation.

"What he created in the garage in terms of the atmosphere and the drive among all of us to do absolutely whatever it took to win. That's really special. That's what always stood out to me about Max was that mentality and the way it rubs off on everybody else around you, that's always what I'll say makes Max a little bit special."

Verstappen tipped to 'have real chances' of winning 'again' in Brazil

The four-time world champion finds himself once again in the thick of the fight for what would be his fifth career title — a feat that seemed almost impossible before the summer break, given the more than 100-point deficit.

Partly thanks to the progress of the RB21 and partly due to a few setbacks for McLaren, the Dutchman now finds himself right on the heels of Piastri and Norris. With four races still to go, starting with this weekend’s showdown in Brazil, dreaming is still very much alive.

Here’s how Ralf Schumacher sees the Dutchman ahead of the Interlagos weekend.

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