![Verstappen compared to famous MAGICIAN by two former F1 drivers](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_1200x800/2317f91f2e5587b918d8a88b09cabf9e0bd7c3bb.jpg)
Verstappen compared to famous MAGICIAN by two former F1 drivers
Verstappen compared to famous MAGICIAN by two former F1 drivers
![Verstappen compared to famous MAGICIAN by two former F1 drivers](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_1200x800/2317f91f2e5587b918d8a88b09cabf9e0bd7c3bb.jpg)
Former Formula 1 drivers Alexander Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa have compared Red Bull's Max Verstappen to renowned magician David Copperfield following his mesmerising pole lap at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Dutchman's breathtaking performance not only secured him the coveted pole position but also helped propel him to a record-breaking 39th win for Red Bull Racing.
On a challenging track where every millisecond counts, the 25-year-old's remarkable display left his peers and fans astounded, with Wurz labelling it as "one of the strongest Max Verstappen shows" he's ever seen.
The Austrian believes the field was "very close" and that there was no clear favourite for a place at the top of the timings due to Monaco's high track evolution.
"You could see, that Max, had to really, throughout the weekend, dig very deep because the gap was very close," said Wurz on the F1 Nation podcast.
"On Friday, we thought Ferrari has the upper hand, on Saturday, the Aston Martin's pulled out some fantastic lap times."
With the Dutchman having to make up nearly three-tenths in the final sector, the former McLarena and Williams driver compared Verstappen's performance to one of Copperfield's magic tricks.
"Qualifying was a show down to the last sector where [Verstappen] had to beat David Copperfield in the last sector to go for the pole position," he remarked.
"And he did and he did so in the race as well. So I have to say, for me, this was maybe one of the strongest Max Verstappen shows we have seen throughout his few seasons."
READ MORE: F1 Driver Salaries: How much do Hamilton, Verstappen and co earn?
![](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_620x348/fa1804b46043b42aee90a96e2774954f95445dcd.jpg)
Pedro de la Rosa provided a deeper analysis of how Verstappen managed to pull his rabbit out of the hat.
"It all comes down to coming out of the swimming pool," said the Spaniard.
"Turns 15 and 16 it seems as Max uses every centimeter of the road on entry. On exit, he brushes the wall, so he's taking fourth gear through that chicane, and Fernando [Alonso] is used to taking it in third gear during the whole weekend.
"Then also I think that the differentiator or the corner where the gap was gained was Rascasse (turn 17).
"Max arrives at that corner, he rotates the car really fast in a very agile manner, and he also aims for a very late apex but with a lot of speed.
"So he has a clean exit with the car in a very good position."
![](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_620x348/027d30240df9ed3218258926cdd77d1c464c9f3d.jpg)
Man or Machine?
De la Rosa then opened up on whether it was Verstappen or car which was able to gain so much in the last sector.
"I think it's obviously talent, but it's a characteristic of the Red Bull," he said.
"I think we have to look at how Max prepared his tyres for that last run because he had some issues. He had some traffic while preparing for that lap so that made him lose a few tenths maybe in the first and second sectors.
"But then his tires were at their best during the last sector as well, and Fernando's tyres were dropping off by then.
"So anyway, I don't want to take anything away from Max because as Alex said, he was David Copperfield in that last sector, for sure."
With a 39-point lead in the drivers' championship, Verstappen looks well on his way to securing his third consecutive F1 world championship.
With their competition still figuring out their upgrade packages, Red Bull will be licking their lips ahead of Spanish Grand Prix where they will be looking to recreate their 1-2 finish from the year prior.
READ MORE: Who is Helmut Marko? The genius behind Red Bull rise to power
Related news
![Key Red Bull figure teases surprise F1 exit in major blow](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/1c8d657e5e19087e33e4ac18f4da96f2a8f66db9.jpg)
Key Red Bull figure teases surprise F1 exit in major blow
![Red Bull to replace driver at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/294ba4c80b7bfe9998efc29865a56499c3495794.png)
Red Bull to replace driver at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
![Verstappen PROMISES 'very important' Red Bull team-mate will stay](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/57e8981d9170f4b82c4212bc448c814f3587435b.jpg)
Verstappen PROMISES 'very important' Red Bull team-mate will stay
![Horner issues shock Vettel verdict over Verstappen's F1 dominance](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/453e0455f9c193ee2b0181a4700c095311d75ec1.jpg)
Horner issues shock Vettel verdict over Verstappen's F1 dominance
Most read
![FIA take action after Verstappen track limits mishap](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/8196b3514fb1331eb87c3c66487d4382258e224a.jpg)
FIA take action after Verstappen track limits mishap
![F1 News Today: FIA make changes as Mercedes receive double penalty and Horner curses bad luck](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/3aba5cd7b20b8ba5aa7d6bc7b7ec91b970a9ec44.jpg)
F1 News Today: FIA make changes as Mercedes receive double penalty and Horner curses bad luck
![Stroll issues Alonso Aston Martin contract verdict](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/4c55ca57f5365a495c735671ad087bc8ef743abe.jpg)
Stroll issues Alonso Aston Martin contract verdict
![Red Bull to replace driver at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/294ba4c80b7bfe9998efc29865a56499c3495794.png)
Red Bull to replace driver at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
![Horner takes aim at Kravitz with savage jibe at Sky Sports pundit](https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_92x92/afcc56837009b608e839005b1d1ff870af4eef4f.jpg)
Horner takes aim at Kravitz with savage jibe at Sky Sports pundit
F1 Standings
![](https://www.gpfans.com/images/main_gpfans_logo_.jpg)
Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
-
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
![Realtimes | Publishing Network](https://www.gpfans.com/images/rtnetwerk_logo.png)
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860