Villeneuve on Verstappen’s Teammate Gap: “The Car Isn’t Built for Him—He Builds It”

Instead, speaking on the High Performance podcast, Villeneuve argued that Verstappen’s relentless focus on car development—his ability to diagnose issues, provide precise feedback, and push the car’s limits—creates a moving target that leaves teammates struggling to keep pace.

The Myth of the “Verstappen-Specific” Car

For years, observers and rivals have speculated that Red Bull’s cars are designed exclusively around Verstappen, explaining why teammates like Sergio Pérez, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson have failed to match his pace. However, Villeneuve countered this narrative.

« Everybody’s been saying, ‘Oh, but the car is made for Max. Poor, poor second driver.’ Actually, no. Max is working on it, making the car better and better. »

According to Villeneuve, the car isn’t built for Verstappen—Verstappen builds the car.

How Development Widens the Gap

Villeneuve emphasized that Verstappen’s advantage stems from his technical acumen and adaptability. While other drivers might describe symptoms of a car’s issues, Verstappen can pinpoint root causes and suggest targeted improvements. This iterative process, driven by his feedback, continuously evolves the car in a direction that only he can fully exploit.

« He is very direct with the steering, very confident on the limit, » Villeneuve noted, adding that Verstappen’s ability to extract performance from challenging setups sets him apart. The result is a machine that becomes increasingly “foreign” to his teammates as the season progresses. « As Max accelerates, Perez stagnated, » Villeneuve observed.

The Human Factor

Villeneuve’s analysis suggests the gap is less about hardware and more about human factors: Verstappen’s unique skill set, his capacity for rapid adaptation, and his relentless pursuit of improvement. « The narrative that Red Bull tailors its car solely to Verstappen’s preferences oversimplifies the factors behind his success, » he explained.

Implications for Red Bull’s Future

As Red Bull prepares for 2026 with Isack Hadjar set to partner Verstappen, Villeneuve’s insights raise questions about how the team can better support its second driver. While Verstappen’s development-driven approach is a strength, it also risks leaving teammates in a constant state of catch-up. For Hadjar, the challenge will be to adapt not just to the car, but to the pace of its evolution.

Villeneuve concluded with a reminder of the nature of the sport: « Greatness in Formula 1 is not handed out; it must be earned through skill, adaptability, and an intimate understanding of the machinery. »