Martin Brundle thinks 26-year-old F1 driver might be even faster than Max Verstappen

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Martin Brundle has suggested that Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc might be even faster than Max Verstappen right now.

It’s a huge claim considering the success of the Dutchman this season during a record-breaking campaign.

Brundle was discussing the Monegasque driver’s fortunes ahead of another decent race for the 26-year-old on Sky Sports F1.

It’s been a year of frustration for Charles Leclerc after being Max Verstappen’s closest challenger in 2022.

The Ferrari has been the second-fastest car at times this year but inconsistency has ultimately cost the team any chance of challenging Red Bull.

The most obvious example was in Brazil, when Leclerc’s car failure on the formation lap and he was in the barrier while the rest of the grid were getting ready to start the race.

Brundle has now suggested that Leclerc might be even quicker than Verstappen right now which is a huge shout.

Verstappen’s 19 victories this season is a record-breaking tally and he’s now won even more races than Sebastian Vettel.

While Leclerc is certainly in a slower car, to say he has more pace than a driver who has been strolling to Grand Prix wins all season is a big claim.

Brundle says Leclerc could be faster than Verstappen

Speaking about the five-time race winner, and his inability to convert pole positions into race wins, Brundle said: “I think it’s a lot of pain for Charles. Arguably, he’s ultimately the fastest driver in Formula 1 at the moment.

“You could argue about that for some time and Team Verstappen might argue, Team Hamilton might argue about that but he has got a turn of speed has Leclerc.

“I think a lot of not winning from pole is because there’s been a Red Bull driven by Max Verstappen around to spoil his day.

“I do think Ferrari sometimes step on their own tail don’t they, the car’s let him down. He occasionally overdrives the car and drops it but I think when they give him a bit more grip he’ll be right there.”

Brundle’s explanation that Leclerc hasn’t won as many races as he should have because of Verstappen is fair but also potentially taking some credit away from the Dutchman.

Sergio Perez has shown that the Red Bull isn’t easy to drive and not every racer can get as much out of it as Verstappen.

The dream would be to see both drivers in the same car, but that seems very unlikely right now.