Max Verstappen’s Capability Rating: Undisputedly the Best in the Paddock, Alonso Slightly Behind with a Narrow Margin!

In our previous analysis, Zhou Guanyu scored 90.35 points, ranking eleventh. Today, let’s delve into Max Verstappen’s capability rating. Without a doubt, Verstappen is currently considered the top driver in the paddock, but his lead over second-placed Fernando Alonso is very narrow. His overall capabilities exceed 90 points, especially in qualifying and long-distance racing, where he stands among the elite in the F1 field.

One, Stability Rating: 96 points.

Throughout this season, Verstappen has showcased remarkable stability. Amidst Pérez’s occasional mistakes, crashes, or elimination in Q3, Verstappen has consistently led all drivers and even teams almost single-handedly. His stability plays a crucial role, and not having a single retirement in races makes his lead comfortable. Though there have been a few minor errors during races, they do not hinder him from clinching one pole position after another.

Two, Long-Distance Racing Rating: 99 points.

Compared to his stability, Verstappen’s long-distance capabilities are even more exceptional. Frequently in races, he pulls away so significantly that his competitors vanish from sight, often creating a 20-second gap between himself and the runner-up. Even Pérez, his Red Bull Racing teammate, struggles to keep up, which can be quite astonishing. This demonstrates the extent of Verstappen’s dominance in long-distance racing. At times, he even attempts an extra pit stop towards the end of a race to secure fastest lap points, leaving others in disbelief.

Three, Qualifying Ability Rating: 99 points.

Verstappen’s qualifying prowess matches his long-distance skills. He often outperforms his rivals by half a second or more, and even when other drivers improve their last lap times, he responds with incredible composure and extreme qualifying abilities, securing pole position. This earns him immense respect, as it seems he has control over the qualifying sessions.

Four, Start Ability Rating: 96 points.

Although not as outstanding as his qualifying skills, Verstappen’s start ability is still highly commendable. Sometimes overtaken by Hamilton, Piastri, or Norris at the start of the season, it’s mainly because he understands his significant advantage and wants to avoid severe collisions. Despite this, his starting performances in the current season have been strong.

Five, Rain Racing Ability Rating: 98 points.

Undoubtedly, Verstappen excels in wet conditions. Among the 20 drivers on the grid, only the experienced veteran Alonso rivals his rain racing skills. Over the past three seasons, he has rarely made mistakes in wet races, demonstrating remarkable consistency. This is why he consistently secures podium finishes and victories.

Six, Tyre Management Ability Rating: 94 points.

While Verstappen’s tyre management abilities might not receive much attention, they are actually quite impressive. If asked to complete races with a one-stop strategy, he could still achieve victory comfortably. While Pérez is known as a “tyre whisperer,” his performance this season has been underwhelming. Verstappen can even push a set of tyres for over 40 laps while maintaining faster speeds than his competitors, highlighting his excellent tyre preservation skills.

Seven, Attack Ability Rating: 99 points.

When it comes to attacking skills, Verstappen is second to none. With the RB-19 this season, he has been virtually unstoppable in overtaking maneuvers. Other opponents can only watch helplessly as Verstappen activates DRS, essentially neutralizing any resistance they offer.

Eight, Defensive Ability Rating: 90 points.

Verstappen’s weaker area is his defensive skills, though he still scores 90 points. He is usually very assertive in defense, sometimes resorting to aggressive tactics when his championship position is threatened. However, in recent seasons, no driver has seriously challenged him, somewhat masking his more robust defensive moments. Nonetheless, should such a scenario arise again, his ruthless defensive style may resurface.

Nine, Mental Strength Rating: 99 points.

Confidence is sky-high for Verstappen after securing two world championships. He firmly believes himself to be the best F1 driver, and being the uncontested number one in his team has further inflated his self-assurance. This translates into a relaxed demeanor during races, allowing him to remain calm even when overtaken. He knows that patience will eventually bring the title back to him.