Max Verstappen has driven exceptional races ever since he debuted in F1. His skills are such that no driver would want to battle it out with the Dutchman on the grid, fearing the loss that would follow. However, Carlos Sainz doesn’t think that way. For him, competing against Verstappen is a confidence-booster.

The Red Bull driver showed his pace, yet again, at the opening weekend in Bahrain. He had a spectacular lap that got him pole position, but it wasn’t meant to be his night as Hamilton brought home the win for Mercedes.

Verstappen will aim for a better result at Imola and hope that he can keep Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton in his rearview and bring home Red Bull‘s first win of the season.

Sainz thinks Max Verstappen was very special from the start

In an interview with Corriere, the 26-year-old said, “It was immediately clear that Max was special, that he had extraordinary gifts. Being able to stand up to him gave me confidence to continue in F1.

“I knew I was in the right place. To be able to play with anyone,” Sainz concluded.

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In the first race of the season, Verstappen had to settle for second place, while Ferrari’s Sainz came home eighth and brought home four points for the Maranello-squad.

The Red Bull prodigy believes he can fight in 2021

In an interview with Autosport, Verstappen said, “I think once you are in that position anyway, with having a car to fight for the title, everything becomes a lot easier.

“Of course, there’s pressure to win a championship, because you’re fighting other people. But, overall, I think it’s a much better situation to be in, than always just not. Because then you have to take a lot more risks all the time to try and get a good result out of it,” Max concluded.

The battle will resume between Hamilton and Verstappen will continue at Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Will Lewis bag another win for the Silver Arrows, or will Max beat the seven-time champion in Italy? We just have to wait for the upcoming weekend to get our answers.

Max Verstappen Downplays Key Handicap in F1 Title Battle With Hamilton