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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL: Second place finisher Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on in parc ferme during the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL: Second place finisher Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on in parc ferme during the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
In 2015, a certain Max Verstappen made his debut with Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso. The Dutchman showed his talent to the world and subsequently earned the call up to drive for Red Bull. In his first race with the Milton-Keynes outfit, he secured victory in Spain. Seeing him race that weekend made people think they had seen the next champion.
However, Verstappen is heading into his seventh season in F1 and he hasn’t won a single title yet. Michael Bleekemolen, a former F1 driver, said that it surprises him that the 23-year-old Red Bull prodigy hasn’t able to clinch the prestigious World champion title yet.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on during the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Cooler Runnings event at Station Pier, Port Melbourne ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Max Verstappen isn’t solely to be blamed
In an interview with RacingNews365, Bleekemolen said, ” You can definitely say that. But that is not his own fault. He makes no mistakes, he drives fast. Max is up to Max. it doesn’t and we all know why it is.“
Verstappen really is a champion in waiting, but because of the dominance of Mercedes and particularly Lewis Hamilton, he is so far away fr0m his destiny. In 2020, the Dutchman had finished third in the driver’s championship, just behind Bottas and seven-time champion, Hamilton.
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HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – Race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Bleekemolen also gave his opinions for Max for the 2021 season after he won the last race of 2020. He stated, “ Let’s hope that was not a one-off thing, but that he is really competitive, also from a motor point of view”
Can Red Bull give it all to Verstappen to achieve a title?
Red Bull’s main issue has now been solved, which was the engine freeze. The Milton-Keynes outfit will be able to run Honda engines even after the Japanese manufactures leave the grid at the end of 2021.
The team have shown their desire to challenge the top and teams and win titles, thus signing Sergio Perez to partner with Verstappen for the upcoming season. The Mexican was incredibly competitive and finished fourth in the drivers’ standings, making him the best option for Red Bull.
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer on track during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Considering Mercedes’ doubts about their engine this year, it looks like Red Bull have all the right cards in their hands for this year. So, will the team be able to play their cards right and help Verstappen clinch the world championship he so clearly deserves?
Let us know what you think.
Also Read: Max Verstappen Set to Experience Honda’s New Engine in ’21 Red Bull Challenger for the First Time
