Max Verstappen wins third consecutive Formula One world championship
Eddie Jordan has revealed that he believes Oscar Piastri is the likeliest candidate to rival Max Verstappen for the driver’s championship over the coming years. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are among those who believe that they can push the Red Bull star all the way in the future, though whether the Mercedes cars are capable of doing so remains to be seen.
Verstappen clinched his third successive title at the Qatar Grand Prix over the weekend, a result that was a foregone conclusion for many weeks after his sensational start to the season. The Dutchman looks set to enjoy an extended spell dominating Formula One, with many of his rivals struggling to work out how to land a blow.
The 26-year-old cruised to victory at the Luisail International Circuit, and Verstappen remains determined to finish the season in fine style and assert his dominance – even with the pressure off. However, the remaining pack will be hoping to lay down a marker before 2024 and, in turn, nominate themselves as the likeliest candidate to push Verstappen for titles in the future.
Speaking on talkSPORT, former team owner Jordan feels Piastri will take up that role, claiming: “You have to think about McLaren. McLaren at the moment and Oscar Piastri is just fabulous and he is the only real one that I can see emerging that could take it to [Max] Verstappen in years to come.
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“And let’s hope that happens because for a young kid, rookie of the year, to come in and win that Sprint Race on Saturday and finish second yesterday was simply staggering. And I have to say I have the height of respect for this kid and I think he’s got a massive future. Let’s see what happens.”
Russell and Hamilton have both expressed disappointment at not pushing for victories over the past few weeks, and neither of the pair being named by Jordan could raise eyebrows within the Mercedes camp as a result.
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Jordan went on to claim that, despite singing the praises of Piastri, he believes that Verstappen has all the qualities to dominate the sport for many years to come. He continued: “Sometimes you look at Messi and you think ‘My God, how did he score that goal?’ Forget Ronaldo for a moment, or Maradona.
“This guy (Verstappen) is so special, he’s so dedicated, he’s so committed at everything. It’s almost boring because he’s in the simulator. Right now today he’s going through exactly the corners, the turns, how he can go quicker in Austin the next race, and so forth. He’s that dedicated to the job of dominating, and that’s what he is doing.”
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