Max Verstappen theory instantly dismissed by replacement after driving his car
Hamilton certain Red Bull's fate is sealed after what F1 rival Verstappen did
Formula E driver Jake Dennis has rubbished claims that Red Bull designs its Formula One cars specifically for Max Verstappen. The British driver provided a unique insight into the car having recently sat behind the wheel of Verstappen’s RB19 vehicle.
Dennis was able to experience the Red Bull car as he took part in practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 28-year-old is a development driver, which he serves alongside his Formula E duties, which sees him involved in the development and testing of cars.
The role makes him well suited to provide insight into Verstappen’s vehicle amid recent claims that Red Bull creates its cars to specifically suit Verstappen. The claims have become a popular theory among F1 fans, but are something that Dennis adamantly denies.
“Honestly, just jumping in the car today – obviously I don’t drive F1 cars I do a lot of simulator work – but you jump in this car and it just feels completely natural,” Dennis said speaking to F1 TV.
“I don’t agree when people say ‘Are the cars designed for Max?’ I jumped in that thing today and it felt exactly like how a race car should.
“It does what you want it to do, it turns the way it should turn. I think people which are often skeptical to jump to conclusions of ‘This car is purely made for Max’ – it’s really not the case.
“Any team goes out there to build the fastest race car possible and it’s up to the driver to adjust to that. And I think that’s exactly what Red Bull have done and Max, obviously the talent he is, has done that.”
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Earlier in the season the claim grew in popularity following comments by current Williams driver Alex Albon. The 27-year-old raced alongside Verstappen between 2019 and 2021 and claimed that cars are purpose-built for the three-time World Champion.
“This isn’t to throw shade at anyone at Red Bull Racing or Max or anything, honestly,” Albon told The Players’ Tribune back in February. “But the car is set up in a unique way that is built around the lead driver, and that’s Max. And, look, I totally get why.
“I mean, when all is said and done, he might be the greatest driver of all time. But he has a very distinct style of driving, and he likes the car set up a certain way that’s hard for a lot of drivers to sync up with. Of course, you can tinker and tweak your own car, but just the Red Bull in general is suited to Max’s style.”
Verstappen has also hit out at the claims that Red Bull designs cars around his style of racing. “Bulls*** comments,” he said via AutoSport. “It’s not like that.
“I just drive the car I get to the fastest way possible. I’m not there to tell the guys to give me more front end, because that’s how I like it.
“I’ll just say ‘design me the fastest car, and I’ll drive around that.’ Every single year it’s just different, every car drives a little bit different. People will say what is your driving style? My driving style is not something particular, I adapt to what I need for the car to go quick.”
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