Feature
Maciej Gladysz: My Ultimate Driver
After a flying start to his rookie FIA Formula 3 campaign, Maciej Gladysz takes on the Ultimate Driver challenge to build his perfect racing driver.
The ART Grand Prix talent talks all about finding the right balance in mentality, speed and smarts in the car.
Here’s what the Polish driver came up with…
WET WEATHER ABILITY
“Max Verstappen, I think. He's done many great things in the wet conditions, last year or 2024 in Brazil, where he started from last and finished first in such hard conditions which was very impressive. Then in 2016, I think he did really well in Brazil as well, beating Nico Rosberg. He’s inspired me a lot by that.”
QUALIFYING PACE
“That's tough. I think, lately, Lando Norris has been very strong. And, again, I think Max Verstappen.”
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INTELLIGENCE
“Fernando Alonso, and maybe sometimes on his day, Lewis Hamilton. In Abu Dhabi in his final race with Mercedes, he showed his potential, catching George Russell in a few laps and doing that amazing manoeuvre, running around the outside in T9 on the last lap, that was amazing. So, I think he was quite intelligent in that race.
“Also Las Vegas, Kimi Antonelli was impressive as well, he stayed on those tyres for 48 laps and still finished third or fourth. So, I think that was really good as well.”
TYRE MANAGEMENT
“Maybe Kimi Antonelli, maybe Jenson Button. He was always smooth on the tyres,
SMOOTH DRIVING STYLE
“Yeah, that's Jenson Button.”
AGGRESSIVE STYLE
“I think Max Verstappen.”
OVERTAKING ABILITY
“Let me think…actually I’ll say Daniel Ricciardo. Maybe Oscar Piastri or Charles Leclerc as well. I think he's got some moves that were really good. I think Charles' move on Max, maybe 2022 at Red Bull Ring, that was a good fight.”
ANYTHING ELSE?
“Maybe being less aggressive in the car. Not with driving, I mean mentality-wise. Sometimes if someone does something I think is wrong on track, I get quite annoyed quickly. And maybe sometimes it's not good, so it's better to stay calm.”
DREAM TEAM
“So drivers, I don't think this would be a good match, but Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Team Principal, Adrian Newey, or maybe Toto Wolff. And car, Mercedes 2020. I don't remember which. W11? W11 or maybe the Red Bull from 2023.”