Verstappen Ranked Among F1's All-Time Greats; Leclerc Benefits From Hamilton's Arrival

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's relentless performance is prompting experts to place him among Formula 1's legends. Meanwhile, the future driver dynamic at Ferrari is already influencing Charles Leclerc's development, and crucial tire development continues behind the scenes.

The big picture:

Following his dominant win at Monza, Max Verstappen's standing in F1 history is a major talking point. Ferrari's team principal offers insights into Charles Leclerc's growth ahead of Lewis Hamilton's arrival, and Pirelli concludes important tire testing, vital for future F1 seasons.

The details:

• Verstappen Joins Elite Company:
  • Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has included Max Verstappen in his all-time top five drivers.
  • Rosberg places Verstappen alongside legendary names: Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna, Juan Manuel Fangio, and Michael Schumacher.
  • He highlighted Verstappen's exceptional "smart fundamental set-up decisions," noting that his car was not the strongest at Monza.
  • Rosberg also commented on McLaren's controversial team order at Monza, where Oscar Piastri was asked to yield to Lando Norris.
• Leclerc's Evolution with Hamilton's Influence:
  • Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur believes the impending arrival of Lewis Hamilton has helped "release some pressure" from Charles Leclerc.
  • Vasseur observed significant improvements in Leclerc's approach, structure, and overall maturity this season.
  • While not directly attributing it to Hamilton's future presence, Vasseur credits Leclerc's personal growth.
• Pirelli Concludes Monza Tyre Test:
  • Pirelli wrapped up its two-day tire test at Monza, which saw a revised schedule due to adverse weather conditions.
  • Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) and Carlos Sainz (Williams) participated on the second day.
  • The test gathered valuable data on the crossover point between intermediate and slick tires, utilizing the wet track conditions in the afternoon.

What's next:

As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Verstappen's continued pursuit of records and the evolving dynamics within top teams. The long-term impact of Hamilton's move to Ferrari on Leclerc will become clearer with time, while Pirelli's data from Monza will inform future tire development.