In a remarkable turn of events, Steve Nichols, the genius behind the iconic McLaren MP4/4 from 1998, has showered praise on Red Bull’s Adrian Newey, hailing him as “the greatest ever” designer in Formula 1 history.
Red Bull, having claimed victory in all 14 races held thus far in 2023, are on the cusp of achieving an unprecedented feat in F1 – going through an entire season without a single loss. This historic achievement is just eight races away from becoming reality. Follow your favourite F1 team with attractive F1 betting odds from Nextbet.
The closest any team came to being ‘invincible’ in Formula 1 was McLaren-Honda in 1988, winning 15 of 16 races, with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at the helm of the MP4/4. The only race they missed out on was the Italian Grand Prix, where Ferrari, in a poignant moment following Enzo Ferrari’s passing, secured a one-two finish.
Red Bull recently achieved what McLaren could not by triumphing at Monza, with Max Verstappen notching up a record-breaking 10th consecutive victory as he inches closer to his third consecutive championship title.
Steve Nichols believes Red Bull has the potential to surpass McLaren’s 1988 record and expressed his admiration for Adrian Newey. The 76-year-old acknowledges that comparing the achievements of 1988 to 2023 is impossible.
He stated, “It gives somebody a good shot at having a perfect season. The way things are going this year, it looks like that may come to pass. Inevitably, it would be a great achievement.”
Nichols reserved special praise for Adrian Newey, describing him as “the greatest ever” and remarking on his incredible career and numerous successes.
He also highlighted the differences between eras, pointing out that McLaren’s success in 1988 was achieved with significantly fewer resources compared to today’s teams.
Nichols acknowledged that while Red Bull has excelled this season, the inconsistencies of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin have played a role in their dominance.
He further emphasized the formidable combination of Newey and Verstappen, with Newey standing head and shoulders above other designers, even considering Red Bull’s cost cap breach penalties.
In Nichols’ view, the task of catching up with and surpassing Red Bull is monumental due to their relentless pursuit of excellence under Newey’s guidance. He concluded by saying, “That’s the sort of combination it takes to win World Championships.”
As Red Bull continues to rewrite F1 history, the influence of Adrian Newey remains a pivotal force in their quest for greatness. Get the latest updates from the world of F1 only on Nextbet Sports.
