Max Verstappen “Equal Machinery” Debate Quashed as Leclerc, Norris & Russell Slapped with Brutal Reality Check

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan is confident that Max Verstappen will eventually emerge as the greatest driver of all time. Even though Verstappen has some strong competitors such as Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and George Russell, the 75-year-old yet believes that none of these drivers has the potential to match the Dutchman.

While speaking in Episode 11 on the ‘Formula For Success’ podcast with David Coulthard, Jordan began his remarks by claiming that for any of these drivers to beat Verstappen, it would take a ‘mighty‘ effort as the 25-year-old is ‘light years ahead of the rest.’ He then went on to praise Verstappen’s qualities by adding,

“You have somebody as quick naturally as Max. For me, I really do believe in time he will turn out to be the greatest driver of all time subject to, fingers crossed, that he will be safe and well for a very long time“.

Eddie Jordan praises Sergio Perez for going toe to toe with Max Verstappen

While speaking on the same podcast, Eddie Jordan then went on to praise Sergio Perez for just being able to provide a fight to Max Verstappen in the same car. The 75-year-old hailed the Mexican driver by comparing what he has done to former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo.

The Irish businessman believes that Perez has done a ‘magic‘ job as former Red Bull drivers such as Ricciardo would not be able to match Verstappen as the Mexican has done. As for Perez, he finally seems to have settled into the Red Bull team as he has put up some mighty performances this season.

While Verstappen still has won one more race than Perez in 2023, the Mexican has still managed to stay within touching distance. After the first five races, Verstappen has a 14-point lead over Perez in the championship.

Leclerc, Norris, and Russell have had mediocre starts to the 2023 season

While it remains to be seen whether Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, or George Russell can challenge Max Verstappen in the future or not, it is fair to say that all three of them so far have had a below-par start to the 2023 season.

After finishing an outstanding second in the championship last year, Leclerc is only seventh after the first five races of the 2023 campaign. The Monegasque has scored 34 points so far and is six points behind the Mercedes of George Russell, who has had struggles of his own.

And when it comes to McLaren’s Lando Norris, his season has been nothing short of a disaster. The Briton is currently ninth in the championship with 10 points and is already 17 points behind eighth-placed Lance Stroll.