Former long-serving McLaren coordinator Jo Ramirez believes that Max Verstappen has established himself as the Ayrton Senna of the modern generation.
Verstappen dominated proceedings at the opening round of the 2023 Formula 1 season to continue precisely where he left off last year.
The Red Bull driver is aiming to match Senna this season in becoming a three-time F1 World Champion.
Additionally, Verstappen is well poised to match the legendary Brazilian’s career tally of 41 wins, having taken his 36th victory in Bahrain last weekend.
Ramirez, who worked with Senna at McLaren, admires the Dutchman and considers him to be the present-day equivalent of one of the sport’s true greats.
“The guy is very good. He has taken the role of Ayrton Senna in modern F1 and with what car, that team and Adrian Newey is almost unstoppable,” he told Spanish publication AS.
“Checo [Perez] is very good too but it lacks Max’s killer instinct.”
While Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the final race in 2021 to steal the Drivers’ crown, Red Bull came up short in its Constructors’ bid.
But after a stuttering start to the new regulations introduced last year, Red Bull surged to 17 wins out of the 22 rounds to take place.
Asked why he thinks Red Bull is the current benchmark team, Ramirez highlighted the Austrian outfit’s capacity to be well-refined in every department.
“Basically the aerodynamics but it is also a team that does not fail and borders on perfection in almost all areas. The pit stops are wonderful,” he noted.
After Red Bull and Verstappen’s crushing dominance in the first round, many – including Mercedes driver George Russell – regard the championship as already being settled.
Ramirez is among those who recognise the RB19 in the hands of Verstappen, at least, will be an unstoppable force this year.
Although ex-F1 driver Jenson Button has suggested the next round in Saudi Arabia could spring a surprise, the Mexican has dismissed the chances of Verstappen being beaten any time soon.
“Completely,” he responded when asked if the Red Bull-Verstappen combination was currently unbeatable. “If they don’t suffer technical setbacks or accidents, yes.
“They are in another galaxy and now a circuit arrives in which they are going to fly.
“His supremacy is going to leave us speechless. They are very fast in fast curves and will be far superior to the rest.
“In addition, the fight between Max and Checo will benefit them even more to continue improving.”
With it appearing Red Bull has the potential to run away with both titles, attention has inevitably turned to the fight behind the runaway champions.
Bahrain witnessed an encapsulating contest between Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes for the final podium place in the closing laps of last Sunday’s race.
Despite Aston Martin claiming that feat in Bahrain, Ramirez holds the opinion that Ferrari or Mercedes will soon emerge as Red Bull’s nearest challenger.
“It should be Ferrari because they are fast and with a good engine, but they always have some reliability or strategy error,” Ramirez cautioned.
“Something always happens to them but if they solve it, they will be behind Red Bull.
“We shouldn’t forget about Mercedes either, even if they’re not well now,” he continued.
“It is a team with such a powerful structure and so much quality in its drivers that in four or five races we will see them higher for sure.”
Following its Bahrain 1-2, Red Bull sits top of the Constructors’ Championship with a commanding advantage after its near-maximum points haul.
Fernando Alonso’s third place and Lance Stroll’s stellar drive to sixth has Aston Martin placed second, ahead of both Mercedes and Ferrari.
