Hadjar, who finished as the runner-up in the 2024 Formula 2 Championship, found Verstappen's car `amazing to drive` and felt particularly comfortable, especially on long runs. Despite the common perception that Verstappen's car is tricky to handle, Hadjar did not encounter such difficulties. He highlighted the surreal experience of driving an F1 car, especially in high-speed conditions, and noted some areas for improvement in slow-speed sectors.
This positive experience comes at a time when Verstappen's teammates have historically struggled to match his performance. Sergio Perez, for instance, had a disappointing 2024 season, finishing 285 points behind Verstappen, who secured his fourth consecutive World Championship.
In other news, Aston Martin has made significant strides in enhancing their simulator facilities. According to new simulator driver Dani Juncadella, Aston Martin's new equipment is `even better than McLaren's.` Juncadella, who has experience with both teams, praised the new simulator, stating it is a substantial improvement over the previous setup and is now at a level where meaningful work can be done.
The 2024 F1 season also saw cars perform beyond expectations, with qualifying times and downforce levels exceeding predicted simulations. Pirelli expressed surprise at the pace and improvements achieved by the 2024 cars, highlighting the significant leap forward in lap times and load peaks.
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