Is Max Verstappen Destined to Be the G.O.A.T? His Ex-Teammate Thinks So
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, praise from a rival is rare, but a glowing endorsement from a former teammate? That’s practically a unicorn. Yet, Sergio “Checo” Pérez, a man who stared down the beast from the other side of the Red Bull garage, has just dropped a bombshell of a prediction. He believes his former partner-in-speed, Max Verstappen, is on a one-way trip to becoming the greatest driver in the history of the sport.
Let that sink in. This isn’t just some pundit trying to fill airtime. This is coming from a driver who spent four seasons getting a front-row seat to the “Verstappen show.” He saw the data, he was in the debriefs, and he battled tooth and nail on the track. If anyone knows what makes the Dutch driver tick, it’s Checo. And frankly, his words carry a weight that’s hard to ignore.
The Verdict from an Ex-Teammate
Speaking with the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, Pérez didn’t mince words. “I think he will become the best driver in the history of the sport; the Red Bull project is made for him,” he stated. This is a massive claim, especially in a sport graced by legends like Schumacher, Senna, and Hamilton. But Pérez’s reasoning goes beyond just raw talent. He points to the symbiotic relationship between Verstappen and the Red Bull machine, a car that seems to bend to Max’s will in a way no other driver can replicate.
Pérez, who now pilots for the Cadillac F1 team, reflected on his own challenging tenure at Red Bull. “All the drivers who have arrived and those who will arrive will continue to have the same problems because it’s a very complex car to drive, where you have to constantly adapt to Verstappen’s style.” It paints a picture of a team and a car built around a singular, generational talent, making it almost impossible for anyone else to get a foothold. It’s not just about being fast; it’s about taming a machine designed for someone else’s hands.
Is It the Car or the Driver?
The age-old debate in F1 always boils down to one question: is it the car or the driver? Fans and critics alike love to argue that a dominant car is the real hero. But Pérez is quick to shut that down. In a separate interview with DAZN, he elaborated, “People think it is only the car, but that is not correct. Max puts the car in a place nobody else can.”
He admitted that even on his best days, when everything felt perfect, it was never quite enough. “Even on weekends when I felt perfect, when everything clicked, it still was not enough to beat him. That is the truth.” That kind of candid honesty is refreshing and speaks volumes about the sheer dominance he witnessed.
It wasn’t just about pace; Pérez highlighted Verstappen’s “unbelievable” race intelligence, his feel for the tires, and his uncanny ability to read a race as it unfolds. When you’re sharing a garage with someone operating on that level, it can be both a blessing and a curse. It pushes you to be better, but it also shines a very bright, very unforgiving spotlight on any gap in performance.
What Does Verstappen’s Future Hold?
As the 2025 season winds down, Verstappen is, somehow, still in the title fight against a resurgent McLaren, clawing back from a massive 104-point deficit. It’s a testament to his “never say die” attitude, wrestling performance out of a Red Bull that clearly isn’t the class of the field anymore. A fifth consecutive championship would undeniably cement his place in the pantheon of F1 greats.
But the road ahead is bumpy. The 2026 regulations loom large, promising to shake up the grid entirely. Red Bull is bringing its own power unit to the party for the first time, a venture fraught with risk. Rumors of a 2026 exit clause in Verstappen’s contract add another layer of drama. If Red Bull stumbles out of the gate, will their star driver stick around? For now, they have the ultimate ace up their sleeve: a driver who can make a good car great and a great car legendary. But even the best drivers can’t work miracles if the machinery isn’t there.
So, is Pérez right? Is Max Verstappen on a collision course with destiny to become the G.O.A.T? The stats are certainly pointing in that direction. But in Formula 1, nothing is guaranteed. One thing is for sure, though: it’s going to be one heck of a ride watching him try.
