Former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat says Max Verstappen's sustained success at Red Bull in recent years stems from the team accommodating all of his needs.
Verstappen has won the past two F1 Drivers' Championships and looks well-placed to add a third title in 2023, with Red Bull's RB19 proving the class of the field.
But while Kvyat acknowledged Verstappen's undoubted talent, the Russian added that the World Champion has everything at Red Bull set up exactly as he wants.
"Of course, you have to give [Verstappen] credit," Kvyat told the Track Limits podcast.
"He's doing an amazing job. Very strong wheel-to-wheel, probably the strongest wheel-to-wheel.
"But I think everyone's beatable in certain conditions, and the team has given him everything he needs, everything he wants."
After dominating in 2022, Red Bull have eased to victory in the first three races of 2023, and Kvyat alluded to several other teams looking towards the drinks-backed squad for inspiration for their own cars.
"Now people have understood that the only way to beat them is to copy their car," Kvyat said.
"It's as simple as that. Maybe next year, people will catch up, but this year [Red Bull] still look way ahead of everyone.
"Maybe towards the end of the year, with development, people will be able to get closer, but I still think they are obviously dominating. Also, the Honda engine has been great. They have everything they need."
Kvyat rues never being Verstappen's teammate
After a promising debut F1 season at Toro Rosso in 2014, Kvyat was promoted to Red Bull for 2015, with Verstappen taking his seat at Toro Rosso.
However, Kvyat would never win a race for Red Bull, and the Russian was demoted back to Toro Rosso four races into 2016 and replaced by Verstappen, who promptly won on his first outing for Red Bull at that year's Spanish Grand Prix.
Though their two Formula 1 careers have been inextricably linked, Kvyat noted regret that the two drivers were never teammates.
"Everyone that Red Bull brings is the next big star. It's always been the case," Kvyat added.
"For me, he was just the next guy I had to beat. In the end, I got a promotion to Red Bull, so unfortunately [being teammates] didn't happen."
FAQs
Former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat says Max Verstappen's sustained success at Red Bull in recent years stems from the team accommodating all of his needs. Verstappen has won the past two F1 Drivers' Championships and looks well-placed to add a third title in 2023, with Red Bull's RB19 proving the class of the field.
Who is Penelope Verstappen? ›
Previously married to Daniil Kvyat, Kelly Piquet has a daughter with the former Red Bull driver. After Kelly Piquet started dating Max Verstappen, her daughter Penelope Piquet started getting close to the defending champion. Now Penelope and Max are quite close and she even comes down to the tracks for races at times.
Who did Max Verstappen take over from? ›
In 2021 24-year-old Max Verstappen became the 34th Formula 1 World Champion, taking the title from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton amid controversy on the last lap of the last race.
Who is Max Verstappen's wife? ›
| Kelly Piquet |
|---|
| Occupation(s) | Influencer and blogger |
| Partner(s) | Daniil Kvyat (2017–2019) Max Verstappen (2021–present) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent | Nelson Piquet (father) |
3 more rowsPiquet welcomed a daughter, Penelope, with her ex-partner, Russian professional racing driver Daniil Kvyat, in July 2019.
Does Max Verstappen have 2 sisters? ›
His younger sister, Victoria, lived with their mother. Verstappen has three younger half-siblings from his father: a sister, Blue Jaye, from Jos's second marriage, and a brother and sister, Jason Jaxx and Mila Faye, from Jos's current marriage.
Who is Max's best friend in F1? ›
Norris fumes over Verstappen 'BFF' remark. Lando Norris has fired back at suggestions that Max Verstappen is his best friend, claiming their relationship is nothing more than a casual friendship. Norris and Verstappen were on the podium together seven times in the 2023 Formula 1 season, looking friendly each time.
Does Max Verstappen have a child? ›
Does Max Verstappen have children? Max has no biological children, but he does have a close relationship with Kelly's daughter Penelope. Kelly shares the four-year-old with her ex-partner, Russian driver Daniil Kvyat – who Max replaced at Red Bull in 2016 shortly after the season began.
What is Max Verstappen's salary at Red Bull? ›
Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen tops the list with a $55 million salary after the most dominant season in Formula 1 history.
What car does Max Verstappen drive? ›
The Red Bull Racing RB19 is a Formula One car designed and constructed by Red Bull Racing which competed in the 2023 Formula One World Championship. The car was unveiled in New York City on 3 February 2023. The RB19 was driven by defending world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.
With bonuses and endorsem*nts factored in, Verstappen's net worth soared to approximately $165.5 million. According to Forbes, his annual contract with Red Bull alone amounts to a staggering $43 million. But despite Verstappen's immense wealth, he's not the richest F1 driver in history.
What did Max Verstappen's dad say? ›
Following Verstappen's victory in the season-opening race at the Bahrain Grand Prix, in which Horner was present with his wife Geri Halliwell, Verstappen's father told The Daily Mail that “there is tension while he remains in position.” He added: “It can't go on the way it is. It will explode.
Who is Penelope to Max V? ›
F1 Lead - Max Verstappen and Penelope, Max' “stepdaughter”, leaving the Albert Park Circuit after the race... | Facebook.
Is Verstappen Penelope's dad? ›
However, it may surprise a few to learn that Verstappen is actually not the biological father of Penelope. Penelope is Piquet and ex-Red Bull driver, Daniil Kvyat's child. The duo were dating before Verstappen came into the Brazilian model's life.
How are Penelope and Max related? ›
The duo has formed a very strong bond, as has Verstappen with his partner's daughter, Penelope. Penelope's father is ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, who Verstappen actually replaced at Red Bull back at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
Who is the father of Kelly Piquet's child? ›
In January 2017, Kvyat began dating Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet. The couple's first child, a daughter, was born in July 2019.
