Former Formula 1 chief Franz Tost asserts that if Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel were to compete with identical machinery, Vettel would outperform Verstappen, despite the Dutch driver expressing gratitude to Tost following his final race in Abu Dhabi, where he secured his 19th Grand Prix win of the season, setting a new record. Verstappen specifically thanked Tost, who played a pivotal role in his F1 debut at Toro Rosso, later rebranded as AlphaTauri.
Although touched by the tribute, Tost remains steadfast in his belief that Vettel, a four-time world champion who retired from F1 in 2022, would achieve more victories than Verstappen in a head-to-head competition. When questioned about the potential outcome of a Grand Prix between the two, Tost indicated a possible advantage for Vettel. However, he conceded that in a one-lap qualifying battle, he would support Verstappen. Tost justified his choice of the two drivers as his ideal F1 partnership based on their dedication to the sport, speed, talent, and the essential factors required for winning races.
Despite Vettel’s retirement, Verstappen’s highly dominant 2023 season propelled him ahead of Vettel in the all-time standings for most Grand Prix victories, with a total of 54 wins. This achievement places him behind only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (103) in the record books. While Verstappen is contracted until the conclusion of the 2028 season, he has previously hinted at concluding his F1 career at a younger age compared to drivers like Hamilton or Fernando Alonso.
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