I think in every walk of life and especially sport you get outrageously precocious talent from time to time, with skills and temperament beyond their years. In Max I think we're witnessing that, in that the previous youngest winner (Vettel) was nearly 2.5 years older and Vettel's age is more or less consistent with most of his peers. For Verstaapen to do this, now, doesn't mean driving has got easier but that they've unearthed a prodigious talent who should be celebrated.

If driving had got easier, everyone would simply have got faster. If the Play Station generation were better, all the youngsters would be better than the oldies. We are seeing one young guy performing amazingly well. A tick better than his young peers and knocking on the door of the experience talent. He did luck into the win this weekend because of the way the race panned out as did Raikonnen in beating Vettel, but in the same car, first time out, his pace was nearly that of Ricardo's who has been around at the top for some time now. Max is doing a great job of taking his opportunities as and when the arise.

I don't think I really like him, but the traits winners exhibit are often not so likeable for normal people. I didn't like Schumacher. I didn't like Vettel, and still don't come to think of it, but he is maturing and is much more thoughtful in what he says these days. I love Hammy's driving, like Senna before him, but I thought he was very immature for much too long, but even he is now much more level headed and diplomatic.

Only time will tell how good V, Max is. Up to now he has shown speed, racecraft and a level of focus that is very likely to take him to the top. I expect we will be seeing a lot more of this guy, maybe very soon if the next Renault upgrades are all they are cracked up to be.

We are witnessing a great talent in young Max,but with his upbringing and mentoring it's not that much of a surprise to me.
It's great to watch and a few old racers may be hanging up thier gloves sooner than later maybe.

Barcelona was an exceptional interesting race,but the vast majority of the F1 races are a snooze fest.

It's interesting to watch David coultard etc squirming in front of the camera trying to make the show interesting. Fail.

Jenson Button has driven cars from several technological eras and he says the current car is just too easy and actually a bit boring.

I agree with him - we need to see people having trouble coping with the physical demands of the car, not having trouble managing the tyres and the fuel. Remember Mansell struggling to stand after getting out of the car? Remember Senna not being able to even get out of the car? Nowadays, the biggest challenge for a driver after the race is making sure their hair looks OK.

F1 should be all about 90 - 120 minutes of driving as fast as the car will go - ragged-edge stuff.

Drivers like Max are getting out of the car looking as fresh as a daisy. Don't get me wrong - his achievement n Sunday was amazing and has injected a bit of variety into an otherwise predictable season.

^^^ Agreed Nigel.

The power increase to 1000hp next year should be an improvement but won't really change anything without and aero reduction and maybe fatter tyres.
That would test all the drivers a bit more.

Interesting thoughts.
1000hp - now that should be seriously interesting!!!!????

I'm guessing he wouldn't be saying those things if, like Mercedes, they were dominating the championship?