Purple Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan has clarified obvious criticism of Max Verstappen from former race engineer Guillaume Rocquelin.
Verstappen was dominant in defending his F1 title this previous time period, securing his second championship with 4 races to spare.
However talking on ‘Les Fous de Volant’ podcast, the top of Purple Bull’s driver academy was quoted as suggesting that Verstappen was “weak technically in comparison with different drivers we’ve [Red Bull] labored with”.
Rocquelin beforehand served because the race engineer to David Coulthard and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.
Clarifying the feedback, Monaghan stated: “If we could appropriate some issues, it was a poor translation from an interview from a colleague of mine so, it is a bit of bit misquoted.
“Max is technically extraordinarily gifted. He did a number of work as a teen, usually guided by his father, and you may see the legacy of that.
“He is aware of what he is speaking about inside the automotive, and he is aware of what he desires.
“And together with his engineers, they know methods to ship a automotive that he finds nicely-balanced, simple to drive – nicely, not essentially simple to drive however drivable – [and he] takes care of its tyres nicely sufficient that he can handle a scenario.
“In case you have a look at his file over the previous seasons he is been with us, it is gorgeous. He would not have achieved that if he wasn’t an distinctive driver.”
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Verstappen might have showcased his talents with a record-breaking 15 wins this previous season, however Monaghan stays satisfied there’s extra to come back from the Dutchman.
“Can he enhance? Sure, in fact he can,” he added.
“He may not thank me for saying that. However I believe there are areas he can get a bit of bit higher.
“He’ll dig into himself and assume what might he do higher for a season, and it is as much as us to offer him a automotive to go and reveal these expertise subsequent yr.”