Sebastian Vettel surprised by Max Verstappen's rookie F1 season
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel says Max Verstappen has been a "surprise" during his rookie Formula 1 season with Toro Rosso
The Dutchman is on a run of six successive points-scoring finishes, a record for a Toro Rosso driver, with fourth places at the Hungaroring and in Austin the highlights.
He has caught the eye with his overtaking, including a pass around the outside of Sauber's Felipe Nasr, at Blanchimont at Spa, although he has sometimes come under fire from more experienced drivers for incidents such as his clash with Romain Grosjean in Monaco.
"Max has been a surprise because he's been very aggressive, sometimes too aggressive," said Vettel, who won the Race of Champions at London's Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
"But in the end, he has done a very good season so far, he has had two fourth places.
"He is one to be up there in the future. With his age, he has a lot of time.
"I'm sure he'll make us worried, the older generation, which I'm part of now."
Vettel has also been impressed with Verstappen's team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr this season.
The Spanish rookie has scored points seven times this season but he has been hit with poor reliability in the second-half of the season.
"Carlos and Max have done a very good job," said Vettel. "Those two stood out this season.
"I know them, Carlos in particular, from the past from my time at Red Bull Racing.
"He was helping a lot on the simulator, doing a lot of work for us, so it's good to see them racing."
Share Or Save This Story
Vettel: Last Ferrari step back to winning F1 titles will be hardest
Revealed: What F1 teams really spent in 2017
Aftermath of Hamilton Baku clash Vettel's 'worst feeling' of 2017
Vettel claims F1 is losing its DNA – but does it even exist?
Vettel reveals advice he gave to Hamilton for Ferrari switch
The contrasting fortunes of F1's big-name moves to Ferrari
Spa 24 Hours: Porsche wins after pitlane start
Piastri summoned to F1 Austrian GP stewards
LIVE: F1 Austrian GP updates - Russell wins from Verstappen and Antonelli
F1 Austrian GP: Russell holds off Verstappen to win and cut Antonelli’s championship lead
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments