Former team manager Graham Watson believes that Max Verstappen is the best thing to happen to Formula 1 in years. According to Watson, who worked with Verstappen at Toro Rosso at the time, Max Verstappen ensures that many new fans are added to the sport and literally tens of thousands of extra fans come to watch every race.
“Max is the best thing that has happened to Formula 1,” Watson told ‘Formula 1 magazine’. “When Max went from us to Red Bull, I compared it to Michael Schumacher going to Ferrari. He made Formula 1 immensely popular at the time. Just look at the old images of Hockenheim and Spa: full stands with Schumacher flags.”
“I think Max single-handedly saved Formula 1. Because he brings the same intensity and generates interest. People come en masse to Austria, Spa: actually everywhere for him. I didn’t see that even in Schumacher’s time. My wife is 60 years old, but a big fan of Max. Because of his style, because he creates excitement on the court. Max brings a whole new audience to Formula 1.”
Watson then makes the comparison with Lewis Hamilton, who, despite his seven world titles in Formula 1, has never been able to achieve anything similar to Max Verstappen.
“Lewis Hamilton is very talented, but is involved in so many things that people wonder: is he a Formula 1 driver or not? He’s associated with so many other things. Lewis Hamilton is a brand, Max Verstappen is a Formula 1 driver. And that won’t change either. I’m not saying what Hamilton is doing is wrong, but he’s not the nerd like Max. When guys like that aren’t in the car, they’re in the simulator or the kart. They are always working to improve.”