Max Verstappen‘s incredible 2024 season just got another stamp of approval – this time from one of F1’s most legendary figures.
The Red Bull driver, who’s already been named the year’s best driver by team bosses, is now drawing praise from former Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo.
What’s really caught Montezemolo’s eye? The fact that Verstappen kept winning even when he didn’t have the fastest car.
“In F1, Verstappen is a true champion,” says Montezemolo, who knows a thing or two about spotting talent. He’s the guy who helped guide Ferrari during the glory days of Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher.
The former Ferrari boss puts Verstappen in the same category as other sports legends like Sofia Goggia in skiing and Jannik Sinner in tennis – athletes who just seem to have that extra something special.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Montezemolo thinks F1’s getting too caught up in rules and regulations. He’s worried the sport’s losing its soul, becoming “a precision watch” instead of the thrilling battle it should be.
Remember that incredible fight between Gilles Villeneuve and René Arnoux at Dijon back in ’79? Montezemolo does. “What would they have done with that duel today – put them in jail?” he jokes.
It’s a fair point. Today’s stewards seem to scrutinize every millimeter a car goes off track, every tiny bit of contact between drivers.
“We’re exaggerating,” Montezemolo says. “We need to leave room for emotion, courage, and driver skill. They shouldn’t have to worry about millimeters.”
He might be onto something. While safety’s obviously crucial, maybe F1 needs to find a better balance between precision and passion.
After all, isn’t that what made us fall in love with the sport in the first place?
