Is Max Verstappen now one of the F1 greats?
At just 25 years old, Verstappen is a double world champion. Should we now consider him among the likes of Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna?
Who is the greatest F1 driver ever?
Fans always have a hard time deciding. Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton are among the most common suggestions.
But, is it right to propose reigning world champion Max Verstappen as a contender too?
The stats suggest Verstappen is not far off some of the sport’s greatest names. He is already sixth on the list of drivers with the most race wins ever.
This graph shows how Verstappen compared to other drivers when they had the same number of races as him (163).
Those numbers put Verstappen behind Senna and Schumacher, but statistics are never the only way to determine this.
What those numbers miss is Verstappen’s unique antics and genius - something we saw right from his very first season at Toro Rosso in 2015.
Remember when, aged just 17, Verstappen braved it around the outside of Felipe Nasr at the famously-fast Blanchimomt corner at Spa? It was ballsy as.
In 2016, Verstappen continued to wow F1. He captured his first race win, held his own against Daniel Ricciardo, forced the FIA to change the rules because of his bold defending, and was on another level during the soaking-wet Brazilian Grand Prix.
More recently, Verstappen displayed his distinctive refusal to give up as he scrapped for the 2021 championship with Lewis Hamilton.
In the British Grand Prix, Verstappen would not yield on the opening lap, which you could argue led to his terrifying collision with Hamilton.
As hard as it is to believe, Verstappen is only 25 years old. If he races for as long as Fernando Alonso has, he still has 16 years left in his career.
Then in the final two races of 2021 - Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi - Verstappen pushed the boundaries of acceptability as he made desperate lunging overtakes on Hamilton.
Many courted controversy, but they were a testament to his dogged determination.
When the championship came down to the final lap in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen was bold. He launched a dive up the inside, squeezed through, and then shut the door to seal the win.
This last-ditch overtake was scintillating and while Verstappen did have fresher tyres, he still doesn’t get enough credit for it. He came from so far back.
In 2022, Verstappen continued to show his brilliance as he won his second championship.
He barely broke a sweat with wins in Hungary and Belgium, despite starting those races from 8th and 14th.
When he later sealed the championship in Japan, he did so with a 27-second gap after just 25 laps. That margin is bonkers; he was more than a second a lap faster than everyone else.
All of these moments show Verstappen has what it takes to be remembered as one of the greats.
Even if his antics didn’t always work out or they frustrated onlookers, he is still undoubtedly bold, unique, and like no other driver. He is memorable.
But a conversation about elevating him to the status of “GOAT” is slightly premature.
As hard as it is to believe, Verstappen is only 25 years old. If he races for as long as Fernando Alonso has, he still has 16 years left in his career.
Verstappen has proved he is on a path to becoming one of the F1 greats. Now he just has to keep following it.
I just can’t get my head around him being called a “great”. Yet! All I see and hear when he talks is his ego! There’s a sense of entitlement and arrogance that surrounds him. Of course, this is just my perception- but give me Ric or Lewis or Lando or Albon and none of them give me that sense. They’re humble, they’re grateful. They’re easier to watch. Easier to root for.
Verstsappen? He and Christian feed off each other, don’t they!?
The only thing standing in his way is himself.