Max Verstappen has been compared to several F1 legends over the last few years, but recently Red Bull team principal Christian Horner compared him to a great of another sport. According to Horner, Verstappen’s “killer instinct” makes him very similar to heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury.
In an interview with Standard Sport, Horner talks about how he finds both Fury and Verstappen to be alike. Horner highlighted Verstappen’s difficult childhood, which made him strong and turned him into the driver he is today. His habit of refusing to give up reminds the 49-year-old of Fury, who shares the same principles.
Horner added that Verstappen is not driven by anger, but by other traits which make him the star athlete he is. “It’s not anger but that hunger, drive, self-confidence, and belief,” the Red Bull boss said. Verstappen is also a huge fan of Tyson Fury himself, which convinces Horner of their being similar, even further.
Currently, Fury, whose net worth is $65 million, is the WBC Boxing Heavyweight Champion, a title he has held since winning it from Deontay Wilder in 2020. Verstappen meanwhile, is the heavy favorite to win his third consecutive F1 world championship.
Max Verstappen is the best of his generation, says Horner
Verstappen made his F1 debut in 2015 when he was just 17 years old and has gone on to break numerous records since then. In 2021, he won his first world championship and followed it with another- much more comfortable- title win in 2022.
With Red Bull having the most dominant car this season, and with Verstappen being in the form of his life, it is widely expected that the Dutchman will retain his crown again. Horner, however, downplays his title chances, insisting that there is a long way to go. However, he does admit that with the right car, Verstappen can break all records in F1.
“A lot will depend on the car that we give him, but he’s the standout of the current generation of outstanding driver talent,” he said to Standard Sport.
This season, however, Verstappen is facing something unknown to him in F1 career so far. His teammate Sergio Perez, has finally risen up to the challenge, and his just six points behind him in the standings.
Verstappen under threat from Sergio Perez?
Sergio Perez joined Red Bull in 2021 and for the first two seasons, was miles off the pace compared to Verstappen. This year, however, the Mexican driver is more motivated than ever to be involved in his first title battle.
Because of Red Bull’s superiority, no other driver has come close to threatening them for a race win yet. As a result, the only driver Perez has had to worry about is his teammate Verstappen, and he has handled the pressure well so far.
Out of the opening four races, Perez has won two, with Max Verstappen winning the others. For the first time in his career, Verstappen is under threat from his own teammate, and although Perez’s title charge may fade away with time, fans are excited about the possibility of a battle between the Red Bull drivers.
