Ex-AlphaTauri Boss Claims Max Verstappen Could Win Even Behind the Wheel of a Tractor
Former AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost has delivered one of the highest compliments yet to Max Verstappen, claiming the Red Bull star could win races even if he were driving a tractor.
Tost, who helped nurture Verstappen’s early Formula 1 career, dismissed any notion that Verstappen’s success is purely the result of Red Bull tailoring the car to suit him. Speaking to Sport1, Tost argued that Verstappen’s natural ability would make him a force in any machinery, regardless of its competitiveness.
“Max Verstappen would win even with a tractor!” Tost joked. He pointed to a recent example to back up his claim Verstappen’s performance while testing a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Emil Frey Racing at Portimao. According to Tost, Verstappen was immediately two seconds quicker than the rest of the field, underlining his supreme car control and instincts.
“He has an unbelievable feel for speed, outstanding vision, exceptional control of the car, and an innate understanding of the machine — no matter what car he is driving,” Tost explained. “He could jump into any Formula 1 car on the grid and still be immediately competitive. Naturally, he would fine-tune the setup to match his driving style, but his basic ability transcends equipment.”
Tost, who remains a consultant within the Red Bull organization after stepping down from his leadership role at AlphaTauri, believes Verstappen’s brilliance is built on two key foundations: raw speed and mental strength.
“Firstly, Max’s natural pace is simply superior to the rest,” he said. “Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, he has the mental resilience to unleash his extraordinary talent when it matters most. This combination makes him extraordinarily difficult to beat.”
Reflecting on Verstappen’s meteoric rise, Tost recalled that the Dutch driver had already turned heads long before reaching Formula 1. Verstappen first caught attention while competing in karting, but it was a memorable performance in wet conditions during a Formula 3 race at the Norisring in 2014 that truly confirmed his potential.
“In the pouring rain, Max drove as if the other cars were standing still. It was absolute dominance,” Tost said. “It reminded me of a young Michael Schumacher, who was just as impressive during a rain-soaked Formula Ford race at the Salzburgring in 1987.”
At the time, Tost was working for Willi Weber, the manager who would later guide Schumacher to global fame. He recalled immediately advising Weber: *”You have to sign this boy. You can’t go wrong.”*
Tost’s admiration for Verstappen further solidifies the view that the 26-year-old is on his way to becoming one of Formula 1’s all-time greats. With four world titles already under his belt and still in his prime, Verstappen is carving a legacy that could one day rival legends such as Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and Lewis Hamilton.
As Red Bull faces challenges in the 2025 season including speculation over Verstappen’s future amid Aston Martin’s reported interest Tost’s comments are a timely reminder of just how valuable Verstappen remains not just to Red Bull, but to the sport itself.
