There is no denying that Max Verstappen is the man to beat in Formula 1 and is one of the best drivers in the world right now with his blistering skill and ability behind the wheel.
The Dutchman has dominated F1 for the past two seasons, winning 15 races on his way to his second title in 2022, and going even better and winning 19 of the 22 races in 2023 to become a triple world champion.
In 2024, Verstappen has been unable to replicate his dominance as McLaren and Lando Norris have caught up and are looking to challenge his 52-point lead with six rounds to go.
Recently, some drivers have been comparing themselves to Verstappen and if they could match or even beat him. This most notable was NASCAR driver Kyle Larson who claimed that he is a ‘better all-round’ driver than Verstappen.
And like Larson, another driver’s comments in comparison to Verstappen have left some people in disbelief.
Tom Coronel slams Sacha Fenestraz over Rowland/Verstappen comments as ‘attention-grabbing’
Former Nissan Formula E driver Sacha Fenestraz claimed that his teammate Oliver Rowland was ‘easily on par’ with Verstappen. Rowland, who has been competing full-time in the all-electric series since 2018/19, enjoyed his best year to date in Season 10, grabbing two wins and seven podiums to finish fourth in the standings.
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Fenestraz, who failed to register a win in his two full seasons in FE with Nissan, also stated that Verstappen told Rowland that he would ‘overshadow’ the Dutchman if he was in F1.
Speaking on the RacingNews365 YouTube Channel, Tom Coronel was left enraged by these comments and did not hold back as he slammed the driver for ‘attention-grabbing.’
“I just think it’s a shame that people try to get attention with this. There is only one Verstappen, yes, we have seen it so often,” he said.
“We have seen it, you know everyone who wants to compare himself for a moment, he just crushes it. I mean, dare to sit next to him.
“Shut your mouth and sit next to him and then I dare to know that afterwards he will just cry and ask for his mother with tissues. ‘Please, please, I wish I had never done this.
“I think it’s a waste of our time. I think it’s attention-grabbing now.”
Sacha Fenestraz’s chances of landing a seat for the 2024/25 Formula E season are very unlikely
While Rowland was able to fight for regular podiums and challenge at the front for wins, Fenestraz struggled to score regular points with Nissan and was completely outperformed by the Brit.
Following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, Fenestraz was dropped by Nissan, with Frenchman Norman Nato returning to the Japanese outfit to partner Rowland for Season 11.
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Fenestraz has been desperately trying to keep his FE career alive and was believed to be in talks with ERT over a potential seat for next year.
However, following the team’s rebranding to Kiro Race Co as they move to being a Porsche customer team, Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara are set to remain in their seats, thus completing the 2024/25 grid and likely spelling the end of Fenestraz’s time in FE.